First-Ever Facility Dog Joins Herndon Police Department

HERNDON, VA — Herndon Police Department welcomed K9 Bragg, a new four-legged officer, to the force on Tuesday, according to a post on the department's Facebook page. Bragg is HPD's first certified facility dog.

Mutts With A Mission, a Portsmouth, Virginia-based nonprofit that trains dogs to serve the needs of first responders, veterans, and wounded warriors, donated Bragg to Herndon police.

Bragg underwent two years of specialized training with Mutts With A Mission and received an accreditation from ADI - Assistance Dogs International. Having successfully completed the ADI Public Access Test and Skills Test, he will be able to assist Herndon officers and staff members following stressful situations. He will also be able to sit in on counseling sessions, interviews, and roll calls.

Capt. Steve Pihonak participated in two weeks with Mutts For A Mission to learn how to be Bragg's HPD handler.

“The two-week Mutts with a Mission Training Camp allowed Bragg and I to bond," Pihonak said. "The Mutts with a Mission staff and volunteers worked with me to ensure that I have the confidence to train and maintain Bragg’s skills. Bragg really has the best of both worlds; he gets to help the men and women of the Herndon Police Department by day and go home with me and be a carefree dog at night.”