A First-of-Its-Kind Certification for Law Enforcement Crisis Response Teams
The Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB), in partnership with the Cook County Sheriff's Office, has established the nation's first CIT Crisis Response Therapy Canine Certification Program for law enforcement and co-response teams.
This program provides standardized certification for trained therapy canine teams supporting crisis response, peer support, and community engagement—while reinforcing Illinois' nationally recognized leadership in Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training.
Request a Therapy Canine Team
Need a certified CIT Crisis Response Therapy Canine team? The Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board in partnership with the Cook County Sheriff's Office now offer a single point of contact for requesting deployment across Illinois—whether you are responding to a crisis, planning a blue sky day, or anything in between.
24/7 Call-Out Line: 773-67-4DOGS (3647), Option 9
Email: CITIllinoisTherapyK9@Illinois.gov
Note: The callout line is monitored around the clock to ensure requests are routed appropriately, prioritizing critical response and accommodating other events as team availability permits.
News Release
Program Application
ILETSB is accepting applications for the Crisis Response Therapy Canine Certification Program.
Download the Crisis Response Therapy Canine Team Application
Note: Please download the file to your computer before filling it out to ensure all interactive features function correctly. Completed applications should be emailed to Jennifer Wooldridge.
About the Program
The CIT Crisis Response Therapy Canine Certification Program is a 24-hour (three-day) certification course designed for trained therapy canine teams operating in law enforcement environments.
The course includes:
- Classroom instruction
- Field training
- Scenario-based, actor-led assessments
- A final handler-canine team evaluation
The curriculum integrates CIT principles, co-response models, peer support strategies, and advanced handling techniques, ensuring therapy canine teams are prepared to safely and appropriately support individuals experiencing trauma or crisis.
Upon successful completion, certified teams are eligible for inclusion in the ILETSB mutual aid deployment system, allowing deployment during large-scale incidents and critical events statewide.
Who Can Participate
Law Enforcement Officers
To be eligible, officers must:
- Have at least two years of experience post-basic certification
- Have completed Illinois-certified CIT Basic training
- Be assigned a canine owned or managed by a law enforcement agency
- Use no muzzle or shock collar
- Meet Board-approved background check
- Be a certified, active officer assigned a canine owned or managed by a law enforcement agency
Civilian Co-Responders (Behavioral Health / Social Work)
Eligible participants must:
- Have at least two years of professional experience
- Serve as a co-responder under a formal agreement or MOU with a law enforcement agency
- Have completed Approved CIT Basic or ILETSB's Collaborative Crisis Co-Response Course
- Be assigned a therapy canine under agency direction and oversight
- Meet Board-approved background check
Law Enforcement Crisis Response Support Personnel
Eligible participants must:
- Have at least two years working directly with law enforcement
- Serve under a formal agreement or MOU
- Have completed an Approved CIT De-escalation/Conflict Resolution Course
- Be assigned a therapy canine under agency direction and oversight
- Meet Board-approved background check
Canine Requirements
Participating canines must:
- Have Canine Good Citizen (CGC)-level obedience
- Be current on veterinary care and vaccinations
- Have no prior training in aggression or apprehension
- Use no muzzle or shock collar
- Be owned, managed, or formally overseen by a law enforcement agency
Certification & Renewal
- Certification is valid for one year
- Annual renewal requires:
- A brief update course
- Reevaluation by an ILETSB-approved therapy canine assessor
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Will this program train my dog to become a therapy dog?
No. All dogs must already be trained prior to participation. This program certifies existing therapy canine teams.
Does my dog need to come from the Cook County Sheriff's Office Tails of Redemption (TOR) program?
No. Dogs do not need to originate from TOR to participate.
Is there a cost to attend the training or receive certification?
No. Training and certification are provided at no cost.
Do all participants have to be affiliated with a law enforcement agency?
Yes. All participants—law enforcement officers and civilians—must be listed on a law enforcement agency roster.
Can the three-day course be split across multiple sessions?
No. The program must be completed in one continuous three-day session.
When will applications be available?
Applications are now available. You can download the application at the top of this page or by clicking here.
Who should I contact with questions?
Jennifer Wooldridge
Deputy Director of Operations & State CIT Coordinator
Jennifer.Wooldridge@Illinois.gov
Expanded Course Overview & Curriculum
Crisis Response Therapy Canine Certification – 24 Hours
Day 1 – Foundations
- CIT principles and trauma-informed response
- Role of therapy canines in crisis and post-incident environments
- Canine welfare and handler responsibilities
Day 2 – Applied Skills
- Field training exercises
- Team communication and deployment readiness
- Peer support and co-response integration
Day 3 – Evaluation
- Actor-led scenario assessments
- Final handler-canine team evaluation
- Certification review and next steps
A Statewide Network of Support
Meet the certified Crisis Response Therapy Canine teams serving communities and law enforcement across Illinois.
Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board
Trooper
Bio – A member of the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board since April 2024. Trooper was rescued after being found tied to a pole in Cicero and later enrolled in therapy dog training through the Cook County Sheriff's Office's Tails of Redemption program. Trooper has traveled statewide, providing comfort and smiles wherever he goes.
Cook County Sheriff's Office
Zilly
Bio – A Cook County Sheriff's Office therapy dog since 2019, Zilly has completed over 400 assignments. Her work includes comforting students, hospital patients, trial witnesses, and attendees at law enforcement funerals.
Winston
Bio – Winston has been a certified therapy canine with the Cook County Sheriff's Office since completing the inaugural CIT Crisis Response Training in April 2026. Working alongside handler Jacquelyn Hedderman, Winston provides comfort, de-escalation, and peer support.
Buddy
Bio – Buddy has been a certified therapy canine with the Cook County Sheriff's Office since completing the inaugural CIT Crisis Response Training in April 2026. Working alongside handler Edgar Ortiz Antunez, Buddy provides comfort, de-escalation, and peer support.
Winter
Bio – Winter has been a certified therapy canine with the Cook County Sheriff's Office since completing the CIT Crisis Response Training in July 2026. Working alongside handler Kenneth Canada, Winter provides comfort, de-escalation, and peer support.
Joey
Bio – Joey has been a certified therapy canine with the Cook County Sheriff's Office since completing the CIT Crisis Response Training in July 2026. Working alongside handler Megan Kinsella, Joey provides comfort, de-escalation, and peer support.
Statewide Partner Agencies
Grady
Buffalo Grove Police Department
Bio – Grady has been a certified therapy canine since completing the CIT Crisis Response Training in July 2026. Working alongside handler Brian Spolar, Grady provides comfort, de-escalation, and peer support to both the community and law enforcement personnel.
Ghost
MTU 7 (Central IL Police Training Center)
Bio – Found abandoned in Cicero, Illinois, at just two and a half months old, Ghost was trained through the CCSO Tails of Redemption program. Ghost currently serves as the therapy canine for MTU 7, serving multiple counties.
Snow
Kendall County
Bio – Snow has been a certified therapy canine with Kendall County since completing the inaugural CIT Crisis Response Training in April 2026. Working alongside handler Stewart Blouin, Snow provides comfort, de-escalation, and peer support.
Charli
Lake Villa Police Department
Bio – Charli has been a certified therapy canine since completing the CIT Crisis Response Training in July 2026. Working alongside handler John Baghdasarian, Charli provides comfort, de-escalation, and peer support to both the community and law enforcement personnel.
Sandy
Maroa Police Department
Bio – Sandy has been a certified therapy canine since completing the CIT Crisis Response Training in July 2026. Working alongside handler Christopher Ware, Sandy provides comfort, de-escalation, and peer support to both the community and law enforcement personnel.
Toby
Merrionette Park Police Department
Bio – Toby has been a certified therapy canine since completing the CIT Crisis Response Training in July 2026. Working alongside handler Anthony Velarde, Toby provides comfort, de-escalation, and peer support to both the community and law enforcement personnel.
Jujube
O'Fallon Police Department
Bio – Jujube has been a certified therapy canine since completing the CIT Crisis Response Training in July 2026. Working alongside handler Captain Mike Mojzis, Jujube provides comfort, de-escalation, and peer support to both the community and law enforcement personnel.
Holly
Orland Park Police Department
Bio – Holly has been a certified therapy canine since completing the inaugural CIT Crisis Response Training in April 2026. Working alongside handler Gordon Przislicki, Holly provides comfort, de-escalation, and peer support to both the community and law enforcement personnel.
Petals
Orland Park Police Department
Bio – Petals has been a certified therapy canine since completing the CIT Crisis Response Training in July 2026. Working alongside handler Daniel Minx, Petals provides comfort, de-escalation, and peer support to both the community and law enforcement personnel.
Chase
SIUE Police Department
Bio – Chase has been a member of the SIUE Police Department since December 2024. He was rescued and enrolled in therapy dog training through the Cook County Sheriff's Office's Tails of Redemption program. Chase supports SIUE students by offering comfort and companionship.
Max
SIUE Police Department
Bio – Max has been a certified therapy canine since completing the inaugural CIT Crisis Response Training in April 2026. Working alongside handler Tyson Wagner, Max provides comfort, de-escalation, and peer support to both the community and law enforcement personnel.
Louie
Worth Police Department
Bio – Louie has been a certified therapy canine since completing the inaugural CIT Crisis Response Training in April 2026. Working alongside handler Mike Cozzi, Louie provides comfort, de-escalation, and peer support to both the community and law enforcement personnel.
Media & Press Resource Kit
Official broadcast B-roll, high-resolution photo galleries, approved logos, and information for news media, journalists, and broadcast agencies.
Media Usage & Courtesy Notice
All video footage, photography, and graphic assets provided in this repository are public domain assets made available for news reporting, educational publishing, and broadcast editorial use. Please credit video and photo assets as: "Courtesy of Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board."