Peru’s favorite pup Haven has her own Facebook page – Shaw Local

Haven has been winning hearts with her warm nature and calm temperament since May – she has been a community dog ​​since she was transitioned from being a Peruvian police dog.

Her loved ones wanted to watch her grow into her role as a comfort dog, so her handler, School Resource Officer Brian Zebron, began documenting her journey on Facebook.

“People kept telling me, ‘Hey man, I’d really like to see a picture,'” he said. “They wanted to see the development of a young puppy into an adult dog who, thanks to his special training, will help other people.”

Zebron said he started a little late so he had to go back and add more puppy pictures, but he thinks it will be a nice memory for everyone.

“When you look back on these things in the years to come and see where she was and where she is now,” he said, “you see not only her greatness, but her demeanor and how she helped people.”

The La Salle County District Attorney’s Office agreed to purchase a service dog for the police department and Zebron agreed to complete the training since there is currently no certification for service dogs.

Police Chief Sarah Raymond said Haven had exceeded expectations even though she had not actually been to school yet.

“Yes, that was the main purpose,” she said. “But seeing how people here in the department interact with it, I think it makes a huge difference.”

Haven has spent the summer attending community events or places like the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp First Responder Night or the Illinois Valley Center for Independent Living.

“I stopped at places where I can organize some events in the future,” he said. “And I just said, hey, when the time comes, with other schools in the area as well … give me a call, I’d love to bring them here and show you what we do and bring them there more often.”

In an effort to not only make the already popular pup a more recognizable figure in the community, but also to build interpersonal connections between all police officers and residents, Zebron will have Haven trading cards made.

“We’ve got a couple thousand of them in our luggage,” he said. “They’ll have information about Haven and the department.”

Zebron said they should resemble trading cards, so he hopes each card will be unique with a different image of Haven and that they will be sponsored by local businesses.

He said the trading cards will help Haven break down the barrier between police officers and children. Anyone can build a relationship with a dog, but the trading cards allow any officer to get involved.

“The kids could collect different cards,” Zebron said. “I don’t know how many there will end up being, but if a kid hears one of them is out, they might start looking for that one.”

Haven will be going back to school soon, but will participate in the Peruvian police’s child seat check on September 21st from 10am to 2pm.

Raymond said many of the officers are car seat technicians and that the event gives people the opportunity to stop by and make sure their car seats are safely installed in their vehicles or have officers install new car seats.

“You know, we even have car seats for people who can’t afford one or have had to buy used ones,” she said. “Because we obviously don’t recommend it, but some people can’t afford it.”

Raymond said there will be a meet-and-greet between police and Haven during the event and that there will be a bouncy castle, hot dogs and popcorn.

The department accepts donations for food, vet appointments and other supplies.

If you are interested in sponsoring a Haven trading card, please contact Officer Zebron at [email protected].

Follow Haven on Facebook at Peru Police K-9 Haven.