New Therapy K-9 Program Aims to Comfort Orange County Residents in Crisis ● UPDATING

The Orange County Probation Department announced Friday the launch of a new initiative called the WAGS program, which stands for Wellness, Assistance, Growth and Support. The program introduces three specially trained K-9s—Lizzie, Charlie Brown, and Sunny—to provide emotional support to victims, community members, and staff during critical situations.

Lizzie, a standard Poodle, is assigned to handlers Mona Negron and David Alonso. Charlie Brown, a chocolate Lab, works with David Martinez, while Sunny, a yellow Lab, is paired with Raul Castro.

Unlike law enforcement dogs, these K-9s do not perform investigation or other police functions. Instead, they serve as a support resource during critical incidents, victim-centered interactions, youth engagement activities, staff wellness responses, court support, and approved community outreach events.

The dogs are trained to detect signs of trauma and comfort distressed individuals, helping to create a calming environment in high-stress scenarios. The program is funded by a U.S.

Department of Justice Assistance Grant (JAG), which covered canine acquisition, specialized training, equipment, and implementation costs.

According to the probation department, two additional K-9s are scheduled to join the program soon, expanding its capacity to serve the community. The WAGS program reflects a growing trend in using therapy animals to support mental health and well-being in public safety settings.