Motivation and support comes in many forms, including a cold
nose and a warm heart. The Seal Beach Police Department welcomed its newest staff
member, Canine Companions for Independence Facility Dog Yosa. Police Facility Dog
Yosa will assist her handler, Lieutenant Nick Nicholas, during his work with victims,
witnesses, and community members exposed to traumatic events.



Since 1975, Canine Companions® has bred, raised, and expertly trained service dogs
in over 40 commands designed to assist and motivate clients with special needs. Yosa,
a two-year-old Labrador / Golden Retriever mix, has been selected to work for the Seal
Beach Police Department because of her unobtrusive and calm demeanor necessary in
a criminal justice setting.

The Seal Beach Police Department will utilize Police Facility Dog Yosa to:
  *  aid in the investigation of crimes,
  *  provide comfort to victims and witnesses during interviews and court proceedings,
  *  help victims process grief and loss,
  *  lower tension and stress of community members and staff after traumatic events,
  *  work with children to build relationships,
  *  conduct senior citizen visits and welfare checks,
  *  engage with the public during community events,
  *  and so much more!

For nearly 46 years, Canine Companions has been enhancing the lives of people with
disabilities by training and placing more than 6,700 service dogs with program
graduates, including more than 230 dogs with military veterans and more than 2,000
dogs with children. The estimated cost of a highly trained Canine Companions facility
dog like Yosa, and all follow up support, is $50,000, however each facility dog is
provided at no cost. Canine Companions depends on the support of tens of thousands
of donors and volunteers to match facilities and people in need with a service dog like
Yosa entirely free of charge.

“We are so grateful to Canine Companions for providing Yosa to the Seal Beach Police
Department” said Chief of Police Philip L. Gonshak. “Yosa is an incredible addition to
our Seal Beach family. Her training and personality are perfect for providing comfort to
those exposed to trauma and helping to ease the stress that victims and witnesses feel
during criminal investigations.”

About Canine Companions for Independence:
Canine Companions for Independence provides highly trained service dogs to children
and adults with disabilities. Established in 1975, Canine Companions has six regional
training centers across the country. Canine Companions is recognized worldwide for the
excellence of its dogs, and the quality and longevity of the matches it makes between
dogs and people. For more information, visit www.cci.org or call 1-800-572-BARK.



To find out more about the Seal Beach Police Department, please follow us on
Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @sealbeachpolice.

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