Pitkin County, CO (8/15/24) – The Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office is excited to announce the addition of its first-ever K9 officer, Otto, to the team. This initiative marks a milestone in the Sheriff’s Office's ongoing commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of our community, particularly for our youth and students.
Otto, a working-bred Golden Retriever from Nebraska, comes from a bloodline that has already been successfully utilized in therapy and detection work across the country. As the first K9 to join the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), Otto will play a crucial role in providing a safer environment for staff and students of Pitkin County schools as well as Pitkin County residents.
The mission of this K9 unit is focused on supporting Pitkin County schools by enhancing the emotional well-being of students. This proactive approach helps address the stressors young people face and strengthens the connection between the PCSO and the school community it serves. The first goal for Otto is to achieve his Canine Good Citizen certificate, a key step in becoming certified as a therapy dog. He has been assigned to partner with School Resource Officer (SRO) Dru Lucchesi will work closely with Deputy Lucchesi and the other School Resource Officers (SROs) to increase trust and rapport with students and staff.
"We are thrilled to welcome Otto as the first K9 officer in the history of the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office. This initiative represents a significant step forward in our efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of Pitkin County residents. With Otto’s unique skills and our dedicated officers, we aim to create a safer, more connected community." said Micheal Buglione, Pitkin County Sheriff.
For more information on the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office and our new K9 unit, please contact Deputy Dru Lucchesi dru.lucchesi@pitkinsheriff.com