Staff report
HUBBARD The Hubbard Police Department has added a new, four-legged member to the force as Oakley, a labradoodle, was sworn in as the department’s first therapy dog.
Mayor Ben Kyle swore in Oakley, who will work with police Chief Robert Thompson, at Monday’s council meeting.
Thompson rescued Oakley from the Mahoning County Dog Pound. Thompson said when he first got Oakley, who is believed to be between 3 and 5 years old, he didn’t anticipate the dog joining the police department.
However, when Thompson witnessed how much joy his other dogs brought his elderly parents, who were quarantined and unable to leave their home due to the pandemic, he realized Oakley may be able to bring similar joy and comfort to people within the city.