Canton's Beloved Police Canine Earns Prestigious Designation

CANTON, CT — After more than a year of training, the local police department's beloved canine officer has earned a major milestone in his career.

The Canton Police Department Tuesday, Dec. 24, said "K-9 Leo" passed a "big test" recently, earning his Law Enforcement Therapy Dog Certification through the North American Police Work Dog Association.

Leo is a full-fledged member of the CPD, but he specializes in helping responders and the community as opposed to catching the bad guys, so to speak.

The lovable Lab Leo is a "Community Service Dog," a police dog whose job isn't to catch crooks, but to help cement the CPD's reputation among the good guys.

Often, Leo is there to comfort accident/crime victims or to promote the CPD's role in the community, even providing emotional support to responders coping with a stressful job.

"His hard work, dedication, and skill are truly commendable," wrote the Canton PD Tuesday.

The CPD also congratulated Officer John Phelps, Leo's primary handler, for helping the canine achieve the designation.

"We're so proud of this amazing team and can't wait to see all the positive impact Leo will have in his new role."

Of course, Leo's story is an interesting one, a tale that started with a dog being abandoned in 2023, then found, then adopted by a small town's law enforcement department.

Leo officially became a member of the Canton Police Department in September 2023.

Leo, (an acronym for "law enforcement officer") was a young Labrador puppy who was abandoned by his owner back in July 2023 in North Canton.

Over that summer, officers and CPD employees became attached to Leo and it was clear the dog was a match for a different type of canine role in a police department.

From there, his role has evolved from a pet to a mascot to, finally, a fully certified therapy dog representing the CPD.

To watch a brief video put out Tuesday by the Canton PD in honor of Leo and Phelps, click on this link.

From Jan. 31: 'Canton's Cute Police Dog Helps Department Earn Major Honor'

From Sept. 22, 2023: 'Meet 'Leo,' Canton PD's Newest Canine Hero'