by Dennis Dalman
A very young recruit has joined the Sartell Police Department. Her name is Kimber, and she is 5 months old.
Kimber is a Belgian Malinois, who will be trained as a therapy dog. Her handler is Sartell Police Officer Kari Bonfield.
Kimber made her debut at the Sept. 25 city council meeting, inducing grins and warm smiles from everyone in the council chamber as Kimber wagged her tail.
Police Chief Brandon Silgjord told the background story of Kimber to the council. She was donated to the department by a nonprofit called “Soldier 6,” a Minnesota-based organization that provides service dogs and comfort dogs to veterans, correctional officers, paramedics, firefighters and police officers.
The city council happily approved the donation of the dog from Soldier 6.
The use of therapy K-9 dogs is relatively new in law enforcement, Silgjord noted. He said Kimber and her handler will be a morale booster for the department personnel and serve well when interacting and supporting victims of crime or other forms of trauma. Dogs, such as Kimber, can have a very calming effect on people suffering stress and trauma. The dog’s loving presence can often be enough to encourage victims to talk and to express their anxieties and fears.
Officer Bonfield will now begin training with Kimber. Soldier 6 not only donated the dog, it will also provide free training sessions.
Kimber could also help out the fire department in times of personal crises or, if needed, by other criminal-justice departments in the area.
At the council meeting, a representative from Soldier 6 said that Kimber is sweet, sensitive, loving and ready to begin her training and service.
Silgjord released this statement after the council meeting:
“We know the amount of pressure and stress put on our first responders every day, and likewise the trauma that victims of crime are exposed to,” he said. “We sincerely hope interactions with K-9 Kimber will help ease the stress and pain these incidents can cause, especially on children and our most vulnerable citizens. Additionally, we know K-9 Kimber will help continue building on the positive interactions our citizens have with our officers.”
Kimber with her new best friend, officer Kari Bonfield, shown in front of the Sartell Police Department.
