Cayce Police Department – South Carolina’s newest therapy dogs were introduced to the public, Monday. K9 Hudson was donated to the Cayce Police Department and K9 Leona, K9 Hudson’s sister, was donated to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.

The dogs are part of an effort to connect with and serve the community, K9 Hudson will be a unique addition to the Cayce Police Department, Cayce schools, and the Cayce community. The new therapy K9 and therapy K9 handler will be the first of its kind in Cayce.

The Cayce Police Department conducted a fundraiser in April to expand their K9 program. Jim Hudson made a very generous donation and, thus, the Cayce therapy dog will be named “Hudson.”

“This is an incredible addition to our Department, for our officers and for our community,” said Cayce Police Chief Chris Cowan, “A therapy dog’s demeanor, characteristics and attitudes are designed to help reduce the fear of law enforcement and fear in a crisis or traumatic event. Hudson will provide us with a new level of emotional support for our officers, our schools, and our Cayce community.”

REFERENCE: After the Uvalde, Texas shooting at Robb Elementary School, the Garden Grove City Police Department in California flew their therapy K9s to Uvalde to help with the healing process. Read more here: https://www.ocregister.com/…/texas-school-shooting…/.

Some additional points about our Cayce PD Therapy K9 Program:

• K9 Hudson was named after Mr. Jim Hudson.
• Mr. Hudson has donated resources and funding to the Cayce Police Department in support of the Cayce PD E-Bike initiative and the K9 Program.
• There will be no cost to the taxpayers for the K9 Therapy Dog Program.
• K9 Hudson was donated to the City of Cayce by Lisa’s Golden Doodles (located in Adams Run, SC.)

The Annual Steel Paws fundraiser and generosity of the community have made this program possible. Hudson is currently going through obedience training and will go to Florida for additional training. He will also have ongoing training that both children, school officials and officers can take part in. Hudson does not change or alter the role of our Cayce School Resource Officers. He will be available to support our schools and help our SROs better connect with the children. Hudson will be used for emotional support in the event of traumatic events. Hudson will be available to all schools and communities. If you wish to support the Cayce Police K9 Program, please contact the Cayce Public Safety Foundation at [email protected] or 803-550-9545. You can also donate directly on their website: https://donorbox.org/general-support-page