COURTDALE — Meet Mack, a lovable 150-pound Great Dane who is now a certified therapy dog for the Courtdale Police Department.
Mack is now available to comfort people following tragedies and traumatic incidents — or just when they need a joyful visit from man’s best friend.
After his recent certification as a therapy dog, Mack got right to work.
He visited children Wednesday at Camp Aspire in Hazleton, a program run by the city’s police department for children who have been victims of a crime, lost a parent or reside in a high-risk crime area.
“Great Danes are known as good therapy dogs. They are known as ‘gentle giants,’” said Mack’s owner Courtdale police Sgt. Tony Smith, who personally paid for Mack’s certification and liability insurance. “Kids love him because he’s a giant dog. Kids associate him with Scooby Doo. Even if kids are afraid of dogs, most like Scooby Doo.”
-
The Courtdale Police Department recently introduced its new certified therapy dog, Mack, a 150-pound Great Dane that is the pet of Sgt. Tony Smith. (Bob Kalinowski / Staff Photographer)
1 of 13
The Courtdale Police Department recently introduced its new certified therapy dog, Mack, a 150-pound Great Dane that is the pet of Sgt. Tony Smith. (Bob Kalinowski / Staff Photographer)
For the past year and a half, Mack has served as Courtdale police’s “mascot” at public events, but now he’s a vital member of the force.
Smith is now trying to use Mack to launch a countywide response team of police and civilian therapy dogs.
Mack is five and a half years old and has helped Smith console and comfort members of his own family for years.
“I’m really close to the dog. I know people love him. People always said, ‘You should make him a therapy dog,’” Smith said. “I see the benefit of it. I wanted to take it a step further and open it up to the community. I wish I could do this as a full-time job.”
Smith obtained Mack’s certification through trainers with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, based in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
“They make sure the dog has the right disposition — that you could pet him, pull his ears, pull his tail, and hug him,” Smith said. “He knows commands — how to sit, give his paw, and lay down.”
Mack allowed all of that on his first assignment at Camp Aspire in Hazleton on Wednesday.
“The kids were great,” Smith said. “He’s looking at me, ‘Dad, what are these kids doing?’ I’m like, ‘They are fine Mack.’”
Smith is 5 feet, 10 inches tall. When Mack gets on his hind legs, he’s as tall or taller.
So how much does such a giant dog eat?
Not as much as you’d think, Smith said.
“We give him a cup of food for breakfast and a cup of food for dinner. But he gets people food, too, and he loves ice cream. When the ice cream truck comes, he could hear it coming a mile away,” Smith said. “Everyone thinks he eats us out of house and home, but he doesn’t. It’s not bad.”
Courtdale police announced Mack’s certification as a therapy dog in a Facebook post earlier this week and noted he’ll now be available to assist victims and first responders following tragedies and traumatic events.
“As a volunteer with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, Mack will also be visiting elder care facilities, hospitals, schools, and many others. Mack will also be visiting private homes of people who would like a therapy dog visit, especially those with the homebound elderly, special needs children/adults, or just anyone who would enjoy a visit from a Gentle Giant like Mack,” the post said.
Courtdale police Chief Dan Duffy — a former Scranton police chief, Wilkes-Barre police officer and director of the Lackawanna College Police Academy — said Mack brings an invaluable service to law enforcement and thanked Smith for sharing him with the community.
“Courtdale Police are very fortunate to have members like Sgt Tony Smith, who are willing to bring new ideas and who are passionate about various causes that impact many people. Tony has dedicated a significant amount of off-duty time, raising awareness about PTSD and is always willing to engage in volunteerism,” Duffy said. “I cannot thank Tony enough for sharing Mack with us. His efforts in all of this were at no cost to the borough and only benefits Tony in an intangible way. I believe it speaks to his character. Tony exemplified service before self with this initiative.”
Originally Published:
