Decorated Glastonbury Police Dog To Retire After Serious Illness Diagnosis

GLASTONBURY, CT — Glastonbury police dog Soleil is set to retire this summer after being diagnosed with a serious illness.

Soleil and handler, Officer Neal Cavanaugh, have been on the job together since March 2019. In a heartfelt announcement Wednesday, Cavanaugh said Soleil has Degenerative Myelopathy, which is essentially canine ALS.

Here is the text of Cavanaugh's announcement:

"I always knew this day would come, but I never expected it to come so soon.

"She’s been more than a working dog, she’s been my partner, my shadow, protector and one of the best parts of every day. Soleil has been diagnosed with Degenerative Myelopathy and will be retiring from active duty on July 1, 2025.

"Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) is a slow and heartbreaking disease, similar to ALS in humans, affecting the spinal cord leading to muscle weakness, loss of coordination in the hind limbs, and eventually respiratory failure. There is no cure. Life expectancy after diagnosis varies but is typically several months to a year.Soleil is supported by an outstanding care team: Deb and her team at Wizard of Paws, Dr. Cohen from the Central Hospital for Veterinary Medicine, and Dr. Haviar at Glastonbury Veterinary Hospital.

"Their compassion, expertise, and unwavering dedication have made all the difference, and I am endlessly grateful for everything they are doing to help Soleil.Soleil will soon begin a well-deserved retirement at home, with her family. Her days will be filled with sunshine, soft beds, toys and all the love and support we can give. Her spirit, lessons, love and great accomplishments will remain a part of me and this community forever.Since getting Soleil in 2019, she has taught me more than I could ever explain.

"Every shift we shared has been a gift. Although our time is cut short her impact on this community and the surrounding communities will never be forgotten.As I say goodbye to this incredible chapter with Soleil, I know Soleil’s legacy will live on in everything I do and in every step that follows.To our amazing community: Thank you for your constant support of K9 Soleil over the years. It’s been an honor to walk this path together."

The pair was a decorated team and Cavanaugh and Soleil have had their share of interesting and high-profile calls.

For example, last July, what started as a welfare check at a local hotel parking lot turned into Soleil locating a stash of drugs. It was 2:40 p.m. on July 20 and, when approaching a vehicle, Soleil alerted Cavanaugh to the presence of drugs and the occupant, identified as a 44-year-old woman from Glastonbury, was taken into custody, police said.

In mid-May, Soleil helped snag a drug stash during a traffic stop along the 3000 block of Main Street, according to an arrest report. The driver, a 29-year-old East Hartford man, was found to have an outstanding warrant on him for probation violation. Also During the traffic stop, Soleil alerted Cavanaugh to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle and they were recovered, according to an arrest report. The man was charged with probation violation, possession of a controlled substance and failure to keep narcotics in their original container, according to an arrest report.

In November, Soleil helped get a lost and confused local man get home safely. On a Thursday night, Soleil was called in to assist in locating an 96-year-old man who has dementia. The man walked away from his house on a night featuring chilly temperatures and pouring rain, police said. Soleil began a track that headed a half-mile down the man's street and into a thickly wooded area full of tall cattails and located the missing man. He was wet, cold, and had some minor injuries, but Soleil led him to safety, police said.

In 2022, Soleil and took the top prize in the apprehension portion of the Connecticut K-9 Olympics.

They were even sidewalk mechanics.

On a weekend in 2019, Cavanaugh was on patrol with Soleil and they came across an elderly driver stuck with a flat tire. They decided why wait for a tow truck. Cavanagh decided to change it himself with Soleil assisting.