Newark Elks #391 Helps Train Sheriff Department’s Newest Recruit

Meet Stella, the newest recruit with the Licking County Sheriff’s Department. Stella is a sheepadoodle, a cross between an Old English Sheepdog and a Standard Poodle. When fully grown, she will weigh around 80 pounds. She is hypoallergenic, doesn’t shed and is a soft ball of fur. She has a very calm disposition and loves attention.

From Left: Lecturing Knight, Becky Underhill; Leading Knight, Ginger Rife; Captain Barbuto, Stella and her handler, Deputy Van Balen; Lieutenant Crider; and Exalted Ruler, Mark Gilligan.

Right now, this 15 week old puppy is learning basic commands and skills but in a few months she will start training to be a therapy dog. Her job will be to calm the fears and anxieties of children in stressful situations or to sit with children at hearings where they are giving testimony. When off duty, Stella will visit area schools and give the students the opportunity to read to her. What a life!!!

Newark Elks #391 is thrilled to be able to help with Stella’s training by donating $2,500 from our PER Association and, of course, Stella is welcome to visit our lodge at any time to get some affection. We love soft balls of fur too!