Cass County Sheriff's Office Welcomes Comfort Dog Finn

K9 Finn will support community outreach and staff wellness efforts

Mar. 13, 2026 at 10:18pm

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The Cass County Sheriff's Office in North Dakota has welcomed its first-ever Community Outreach Comfort dog, a 14-month-old Labrador retriever named Finn. Finn has been sworn in as a deputy, with Deputy Jolene Fletcher as his partner and handler. Finn will serve in various roles, including community events, school programs, crisis intervention, and providing support during critical or traumatic incidents. He will also support staff wellness within the department.

Why it matters

The introduction of a comfort dog program in the Cass County Sheriff's Office reflects a growing trend among law enforcement agencies to utilize therapy animals to provide emotional support and improve community relations. These programs have been shown to have positive impacts on both officers and the public they serve.

The details

Finn comes from Whispering Pines Family Kennel in Milaka, Minnesota and completed training at Performance Kennels in Buffalo, Minnesota. The Comfort Dog Program was created through donations from the county commission, Turf Tamers, the Davenport Fire Department, the community of Grandin, and the Cass County Electric Cooperative Foundation.

  • Finn was sworn in as a deputy in March 2026.

The players

Cass County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency in Cass County, North Dakota that has introduced a new Comfort Dog program.

Deputy Jolene Fletcher

Finn's partner and handler in the Cass County Sheriff's Office Comfort Dog program.

Finn

A 14-month-old Labrador retriever who has been sworn in as a deputy in the Cass County Sheriff's Office and will serve in the department's new Comfort Dog program.

Whispering Pines Family Kennel

The kennel in Milaka, Minnesota where Finn was obtained for the Cass County Sheriff's Office Comfort Dog program.

Performance Kennels

The training facility in Buffalo, Minnesota where Finn completed his training for the Cass County Sheriff's Office Comfort Dog program.

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The takeaway

The introduction of a comfort dog program in the Cass County Sheriff's Office demonstrates the growing recognition among law enforcement agencies of the benefits that therapy animals can provide in improving community relations, offering emotional support, and enhancing staff wellness.