Innovation and Commitment Give Rise to Award-winning Partnerships
/by Linda Milanesi, CEO, ADW
On Friday, April 19, 2024, FBI Director Christopher Wray presented Assistance Dogs of the West (ADW) with the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award (DCLA). The ceremony took place at FBI headquarters in Washington, DC. Created in 1990, the award publicly acknowledges the achievements of those working to make a difference in their communities through the promotion of education and the prevention of crime and violence. Founder Jill Felice accepted the award on behalf of ADW staff and the agency.
ADW provides the FBI with its Crisis Response Canines, who with their highly-skilled handlers are members of the Victim Assistance Rapid Deployment Team (VARDT). The handlers and their canines, along with other ADW teams nationally, have responded to mass violence incidents in San Bernardino, Las Vegas, Dallas, Parkland and Uvalde, among others.
“Over the years, I have had the privilege to witness the growth and stature that Assistance Dogs of the West has achieved through the dedication and creativity of each and every member of our staff,” said Jill. “When our clients—whether individuals or agencies — present new needs and challenges, our team is committed to finding answers. Our relationship with the FBI represents a paragon of partnership that has educated us about the intricacies of these deployments and the courageous work our handlers and canines accomplish.”
Our success as both a law enforcement and an intelligence agency hinges on our ability to foster and maintain genuine partnerships with people in all communities,” said Director Wray. “People like this year’s Leadership Award recipients… are building bridges and relationships while putting in the work to have hard conversations and find common purpose. They do it out of kindness and compassion with a sincere belief that justice — in its many forms — requires all of us to do the right thing in the right way.”
We thank Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Albuquerque Division, and especially Tammy Peter, who nominated ADW for this prestigious award.
Paul Hill + Barney, Marietta GA
When Paul Hill called our offices and explained that he was a Resource Officer for eight elementary schools, our Client Liaison Liz Napieralski and I asked him, “What does that mean?” He explained that elementary children are scared to come to school because they are depressed, afraid of being shot and/or suicidal. He thought that a canine partner would provide stress relief and cuddly empathy for these youngsters. We whole-heartedly agreed, and Barney was placed with Paul in 2023. Since then, we have watched many TV news spots about this team and have seen the children run to greet this handsome Labrador who waits for them to arrive. Oh, they say an abbreviated “Hi” to Paul too, but they’re all in to give a pat on the head, or if really stressed, to have Barney walk them into class. Following are the awards that have been given to this team in just one year:
City of Marietta Rising Star Award: This is only presented to a first-year officer that has proved to be an extreme asset to the city of Marietta. It is given at the direction of the Chief and/or City Manager
Officer of the Year: Cobb County, GA Bar Association Law Day Awards
Outstanding Community Contribution: Award to Barney and Paul for outstanding service to the community though acts of service, involvement, and volunteerism. (Cobb County Awards)
Top Dog Award: ASIS International (American Society for Industrial Security)
“It is truly amazing what Barney has accomplished in only a years’ time. He has provided support for countless children and adults that were in emotional distress. Barney is the most kind, gentle, and most non-judgmental animal I have ever met. It has been an honor to be his partner. I look forward to seeing what we can accomplish in the years to come,” said Officer Hill.
Nicole Snow + Franklin/Lionel Scott + Blue, Flagstaff, AZ
Nicole Snow, CASA coordinator and Lionel Scott, probation division manager have been awarded Supervisor of the Year for starting the Therapeutic Court Facility Dog program — the first of its kind within probation in Arizona.
Nicole spear-headed the program, which took two years to research, develop, and get approval. Ultimately, Coconino County Juvenile Court Services were able to have one dog assigned to the dependency unit (Franklin to Nicole) and one dog assigned to the probation unit (Blue to Lionel).
Since launching the program, Franklin and Nicole have been in hundreds of dependency proceedings. They offer trauma-informed services from the moment youth and families walk through their door. Franklin is able to seek out the most dysregulated people in the courtroom, sitting at their feet, allowing them to pet him and helping to calm their anxiety. Kids flock to his kind and peaceful personality. As they sit and pet him they can tune out the emotionally charged setting, each stroke putting the youth firmly back in their own bodies. Franklin and Nicole also help the CASA volunteers work through their secondary trauma, so they are more present for the youth they serve.
Blue and Lionel have seen more than 400 youth in their local schools as well as the youth on probation and in detention. They have helped de-escalate emotionally dysregulated youth to the point that law enforcement officers have been able to leave the scene and not formally charge the youth. School Administrators have Lionel and Blue on speed-dial, and even kids as young as kindergarten have experienced more classroom inclusion because Blue is able to help them re-regulate from emotional outbursts faster.
“These teams are making a huge impact in our community every day -— from disrupting the school to prison pipeline, to bringing comfort in difficult situations, they are trailblazing what a trauma-informed court can look like,” said Casie Lightfoot, Director of Juvenile Court Services.