From the Suburbs to the Big City: Using Service Dogs to Improve Officer Wellness

Mark Wachter is the Commanding Officer of the NYPD Health and Wellness Section.

He was tasked with this important role to ensure the health and wellness through new monitoring and outreach programs. He was able to implement a new Health and Wellness Application for the department smartphones and a 400-person Peer Support Program. The section offers physical fitness, nutrition, yoga, and retirement planning in person and online by hosting numerous webinars. In July 2020, the section implemented a Critical Incident Debriefing program to improve the ability for our officers to process daily traumatic events which has seen over 3,000 members. Deputy Inspector Wachter oversaw the creation of a 30-part online wellness training series on NYPD-U to offer information to the 55,000 members of the department to reduce the stigma of obtaining assistance. Mark is certified by Georgetown University and the NYPD to be a Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement (ABLE) Instructor to teach the executive staff on this new department initiative which focused on health and wellness. In 2021, he was able to implement a therapy K9 dog program within the Employee Assistance Unit. 

Kenneth Quick joined the New York City Police Department (NYPD) in 1999. Over his more than 22 years of police experience, he rose through the ranks to his current designation of Inspector. As a police officer and sergeant, he worked in Brooklyn, patrolling some of the city’s highest crime neighborhoods. As a sergeant, he received a police department scholarship to attend John Jay College of Criminal Justice and received his Master of Science Degree in Protection Management, focusing his studies in Security and Emergency Management. He was then assigned to the NYPD’s Office of Management Analysis and Planning, where he researched, developed, and implemented various department programs and policies. As a captain, he led proactive enforcement operations in Brooklyn that targeted violent offenders and prioritized removing illegal firearms from the street. Due to his success in this role, he was assigned as the Commanding Officer of Brooklyn’s 66th Precinct, which serves a diverse, multi-cultural community. During his tenure, he forged strong community relationships, reduced crime, and reinforced the principals of procedural justice during his daily interactions with officers and staff.
Due to his unique abilities and experience in both operational and administrative assignments, Kenneth is currently assigned as the Commanding Officer of the Employee Relations Bureau, which is tasked with morale enhancement, employee engagement, promoting the health and wellbeing of all members, supporting the families of fallen officers and members who are seriously ill or injured, and is liaison to the department’s fraternal organizations. He is also a graduate of Columbia University’s Police Management Institute. In addition to his role at the NYPD, Kenneth is a third year doctoral student at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. His research interests include the effect of officer morale and well-being on agency performance and community satisfaction with the police.

L. J. Fusaro is the Chief of Police and Emergency Management Director for the Town of Groton, Connecticut, having been appointed in July 2015. He manages a budget of $9.5 million and he oversees the administration and operations of 70 officers and 20 civilian staff members.
In 2019 the GTPD partnered with Puppies Behind Bars for the first of its kind Officer Wellness/Police Service Dog, serving Groton with positive community outreach while also assisting many other first responders and agencies.
Chief Fusaro is a retired Major from the Connecticut State Police, having held multiple command positions in over 21 years. His last was Director, Office of Counterterrorism/Connecticut Intelligence Center. He concurrently served as the Commanding Officer of the State Police Emergency Services Unit, overseeing SWAT, Dive, K9, Aviation, Marine, Bomb, and Fire & Explosive Units.
He's received numerous awards throughout his career to include recognition by the FBI Director for service as the Tactical Commander for the Sandy Hook shootings in December 2012. In 2020 he received the Distinguished Chiefs Award from the Connecticut Police Commissioners Assn.
Chief Fusaro holds a bachelors degree from The Citadel and a masters degree from Western New England University. He is a graduate of the 236th Session of the FBI NA, the USSS Dignity Protection Seminar and the Naval Postgraduate School Executive Leader and Fusion Center Leader Programs.
His professional affiliations include IACP, PERF, Military Police Regimental Association, and the National Guard Association of the United States. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Safe Futures, an organization that works for those impacted by domestic violence.
Chief Fusaro serves as Colonel in the Connecticut Army National Guard, where he commands the 169th Regiment (RTI) and oversees the Subject Matter Expert cell for the Army National Guard’s Military Police branch.

OFC Heather McClelland is a 10-year veteran of the Town of Groton Police Department. She is currently assigned as the Community Policing Officer and Officer Wellness Coordinator. OFC McClelland started the Police Service Dog Program in 2019 and has been partnered with K-9 Chase for the past year and
half. Chase accompanies OFC McClelland in all aspects of her job, including CISM debriefings, officer wellness for first responders, community outreach events, school visits and teaching D.A.R.E..Chase also helps victims of crimes and works with the victim advocate in New London County. Chase was the first dog of her kind in CT, whose main focus was providing officer wellness and community outreach.

Det. Thomas has been a member of the New York City Police Department for 24 years. Currently he is assigned to the Employee Assistance Unit and serves as a handler for Det. Piper. They provide animal assisted interventions for members of the service experiencing hardship. Additionally, Det's Thomas and Piper perform Critical Incident Stress Debriefings, Peer Support and educational training for members of the Department.