Cass County Sheriff's Office Welcomes First Community Outreach Comfort Dog

K-9 Finn, a 14-month-old Labrador Retriever, will support the department through community engagement, crisis intervention, and staff wellness programs.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 8:35pm

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The Cass County Sheriff's Office in North Dakota has welcomed its first Community Outreach Comfort Dog, a 14-month-old Labrador Retriever named K-9 Finn. Finn was sworn in this week alongside his partner, Deputy Jolene Fletcher, and will support the department through a variety of outreach and response roles, including community engagement events, school programs, crisis intervention, and providing comfort during critical or traumatic incidents and investigations. K-9 Finn will also work to support staff wellness within the office.

Why it matters

The addition of a Community Outreach Comfort Dog represents the Cass County Sheriff's Office's commitment to building positive relationships with the communities they serve and providing compassionate support during difficult times. K-9 Finn's role is intended to help engage residents of all ages, offer comfort and support, and strengthen the bond between law enforcement and the public.

The details

K-9 Finn is the Cass County Sheriff's Office's first Community Outreach Comfort Dog. He will work alongside his partner, Deputy Jolene Fletcher, to support the department's community engagement efforts, crisis intervention, and staff wellness programs. Finn's responsibilities will include participating in community events, visiting schools, providing comfort during critical incidents, and supporting the mental health and well-being of the Sheriff's Office staff.

  • K-9 Finn was sworn into service this week (March 13, 2026).

The players

K-9 Finn

A 14-month-old Labrador Retriever who is the Cass County Sheriff's Office's first Community Outreach Comfort Dog.

Deputy Jolene Fletcher

K-9 Finn's partner at the Cass County Sheriff's Office.

Sheriff Jesse Jahner

The sheriff of Cass County, North Dakota, who spoke about the importance of the new Community Outreach Comfort Dog program.

Cass County Commission

The county government body that supported the creation of the Community Outreach Comfort Dog program.

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What they’re saying

“K-9 Finn represents the strong partnership we have with the communities we serve. This program was made possible through the generosity of local organizations and community members, along with the Cass County Commission, who believe in the importance of connection, compassion, and support. K-9 Finn will help us build positive relationships, engage with residents of all ages, and provide comfort during times when it's needed most.”

— Sheriff Jesse Jahner

What’s next

The Cass County Sheriff's Office plans to continue expanding its Community Outreach Comfort Dog program, with the potential to add more K-9 officers in the future to serve the diverse needs of the county.

The takeaway

The introduction of K-9 Finn, Cass County's first Community Outreach Comfort Dog, demonstrates the Sheriff's Office's commitment to building stronger connections with the community and providing compassionate support during difficult times. This innovative program reflects a growing trend among law enforcement agencies to utilize therapy dogs to enhance community engagement and officer wellness.