Rex and Brooklyn, 15-week-old golden retrievers, are the newest additions to the Brooklyn Center police and fire departments.
The brother and sister duo will provide emotional support and compassion in times of crisis for city staff and members of the community.
A northern Minnesota family donated the pups, who were introduced during an open house Feb. 8.
In the near future, the dogs will begin training through Soldier's 6, a nonprofit that provides trained service dogs to honorably discharged veterans, police officers, paramedics, firefighters, correctional officers and 911 dispatchers.
"We are hoping to have a positive impact on the emotional health of anyone they come in contact with," the city said in a statement.
Tim Harlow
Scott County
County approves funding for more staff at transitional housing
Scott County has approved up to $400,000 in funding for additional staff hours at a house in Prior Lake for people recently released from jail, prison or who are on probation, said Molly Bruner, the county's director of community corrections.
The County Board approved a contract amendment last week with nonprofit Damascus Way to spend more money — which comes from the federal American Rescue Plan Act and a state Department of Corrections grant — to increase staff time to roughly 60 hours a week at the Prior Lake facility. The house, which will be managed by Damascus Way and is slated to open this spring, has four beds.
