AIR: You and the police force have been involved with AIR for several years. Please share your thoughts on this partnership.
Chief Garofalo: We are honored to work with Trish and Kurt. They have provided help for so many over the years and no matter when we call, they come running. We have had some horrible situations over the years that truly needed their resources and expertise. Even when the school had a horrible suicide years ago, she was the first to come in with support dogs and help.
I know this is our third year of collecting donations from the officers for the Movember (yes, Movember for men’s health awareness) event. The officers are more than happy to give the donations to Trish and AIR each year due to their care and compassion for all our residents. This year, the officers agreed to keep AIR as the recipient again. I know it’s not much, but every year we manage to get two to three thousand dollars from the officers and in exchange, those who donate can grow their beards for the month of November. Police policy dictates they must be clean shaven and growing their beards brings attention to men’s health and allows them to start a conversation as to making sure everyone gets their preventive screenings and health checks.
AIR: Congratulations on having KiKi become certified as an AIR Therapy Dog.