Meet Officer Heather McClelland and K9 Chase

Come meet K9 Chase and Officer Heather McClelland from the Groton Town Police Department on the Library lawn!

Police Service Dog Program: Since its inception in August of 2019, the Groton Police Department has been the proud recipient of two Labrador retriever service dogs, “McDonald” and “Chase”. Both dogs were donated by Puppies Behind Bars (PBB), a non-profit organization that teaches inmates how to train service dogs for first responders and military veterans with PTSD. McDonald was named after retired NYPD Detective Steven McDonald (EOW 1/10/2017) and trained in Bedford Hills Women’s Correctional Facility (NY). Our current dog, Chase, is a 1 year old yellow lab, trained in Downstate Men’s Correctional Facility (NY). Chase is partnered with Community Policing Officer Heather McClelland. She accompanies Officer McClelland in her daily duties and has the primary role of providing assistance to the officers and staff of the Groton Police Department in a therapeutic manner. Additional duties include carrying out community outreach functions such as educational programming, specialized events, and community interaction; providing assistance to victims of violent crime and other crimes of sensitive nature; creating a more engaging relationship between the community of Groton and the officers and staff employed by the Groton Police Department; and providing assistance to partner agencies, first responders and the many military personnel who call Groton home.