Officer Nick Stetzer speaks alongside Wausau East therapy dog Badge during retirement ceremony - Photo by MWC's Tom Schumacher
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) – Students, staff, and Wausau East High School gathered on Thursday afternoon to celebrate and honor their K9 therapy dog Badge.
Badge has been working at the school with School Resource Officer Nick Stetzer for the last seven years, and the retirement ceremony included a slideshow presentation of students and staff spending time with Badge throughout the years during events and even in classrooms. One student also painted a mural of Badge, which will be put up in the school for years to come.
When asked about what the ceremony meant to Officer Stetzer, he said it was tough not to get overwhelmed, saying, “It was amazing to see how much impact Badge had, and it was hard not to tear up when hearing all the stories of how many people Badge has not only impacted here but also throughout our community and state, but it’s just amazing… I don’t know if I could ever do it over again and have things be the same, but the next dog will have some big shoes to fill.”
Badge will be replaced next school year by a young white lab named Timber, and Officer Stetzer left a piece of advice for anyone who might be looking to adopt a therapy dog, saying, “I think the biggest thing is to take the risk because it will pay off to have a therapy dog in the school setting to not only help students but staff to… I don’t know what it is, but just petting a dog or throwing a tennis ball makes people feel so much better.”
Since at least the 1960s, police forces have used dogs in their operations, and today, canines like Badge provide consolation to victims of crime or aid individuals who may be going through a mental health crisis while also helping police build stronger bonds with the people they serve in the community.
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