Orange County Sheriff’s Office Introduces K-9 Yoda

Goshen, N.Y. - Sheriff Paul Arteta proudly announces the addition of K-9 Yoda to the Orange County Sheriff's Office. Yoda, a certified health and wellness service dog, hails from the esteemed organization Puppies Behind Bars. The use of dogs like Yoda helps to provide emotional support and comfort in law enforcement, which can improve psychological well-being and reduce stress.

"Mental health is just as important as physical health for law enforcement officers to be effective at keeping communities like Orange County safe," said County Executive Steve Neuhaus. "They are under more stress than we have seen in decades. Their jobs entail protecting the public as well as helping others with mental health issues, with overdoses just to name a few. That is why it's critical that they take care of themselves."

First Sergeant Jeremy Yela, the K-9 Unit supervisor, recently completed a rigorous two-week training course at Green Haven Correctional Facility. During this time, he and Yoda were expertly matched by the Puppies Behind Bars staff. Yoda, who has mastered over 50 commands, was raised by incarcerated individuals from 8 weeks old.

Mental health challenges can negatively impact an officer's job performance, including their ability to make quick decisions in stressful situations. It can lead to decreased job satisfaction, confidence, and productivity, as well as increased burnout and early retirement. And that is why Sheriff Arteta is putting an emphasis on the importance of mental wellness for law enforcement officers.

"It is unfortunate that the suicide rate among our colleagues is nearly double that of line-of-duty deaths each year," says Sheriff Arteta. "The Orange County Sheriff's Office is committed to reducing this alarming statistic while promoting peace, comfort, and wellness for those who serve our community."

The K-9 Team, consisting of Yoda and First Sergeant Yela, is uniquely equipped to provide comfort and support to emergency services personnel throughout Orange County. By simply interacting with Yoda, these dedicated professionals can reduce stress following critical incidents.

About Puppies Behind Bars: Puppies Behind Bars is a nonprofit organization that trains incarcerated individuals to raise service dogs for various purposes, including assisting law enforcement agencies. Their mission is to transform lives through the human-canine bond. Find out more about this organization at: www.PuppiesBehindBars.com.

About Orange County Sheriff's Office: The Orange County Sheriff's Office is dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of our community. Our highly trained deputies and K-9 partners work tirelessly to uphold the highest standards of law enforcement.

For more information, contact Rebecca Sheehan, Assistant to the County Executive, Director of Public Information and Media Relations, at 845.291.2700 or [email protected].

To learn more about what County Executive Neuhaus is doing for Orange County, follow Orange County Government and Steven M. Neuhaus on Facebook, @Orange County NY Govt and @steve.neuhaus on Instagram, and @OCGovNY and @SNeuhausOC on X.

You can also watch or listen to Neuhaus' NeuCast podcasts and Leadership Speaker Series on YouTube or Spotify.

For more information on the Orange County Sheriff's Office, please contact the Orange County Sheriff's Office First Sergeant Jeremy Yela at [email protected] or visit our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram.

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