Fundraiser at vet clinic supports Montague, Greenfield K-9s

Greenfield Police Officer Patrick Merrigan and K-9 Niko give a demonstration at the Pioneer Valley Veterinary Hospital in Greenfield on Saturday.

Greenfield Police Officer Patrick Merrigan and K-9 Niko give a demonstration at the Pioneer Valley Veterinary Hospital in Greenfield on Saturday. STAFF PHOTO/ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

Montague Police Officer James Ruddock and K-9 Larry give a demonstration at the Pioneer Valley Veterinary Hospital in Greenfield on Saturday.

Montague Police Officer James Ruddock and K-9 Larry give a demonstration at the Pioneer Valley Veterinary Hospital in Greenfield on Saturday. STAFF PHOTO/ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

The Montague Police Department’s new K-9, Larry.

The Montague Police Department’s new K-9, Larry. STAFF PHOTO/ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

The Whiteman family gets their photo taken with Santa and their cat, Fabio, at the Pioneer Valley Veterinary Hospital in Greenfield on Saturday.

The Whiteman family gets their photo taken with Santa and their cat, Fabio, at the Pioneer Valley Veterinary Hospital in Greenfield on Saturday. STAFF PHOTO/ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

Greenfield Police Officer Marcus Johansson, accompanied by his family and bloodhound Ellie-May, have their photo taken with Santa at the Pioneer Valley Veterinary Hospital in Greenfield on Saturday.

Greenfield Police Officer Marcus Johansson, accompanied by his family and bloodhound Ellie-May, have their photo taken with Santa at the Pioneer Valley Veterinary Hospital in Greenfield on Saturday. STAFF PHOTO/ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

Staff Writer

Published: 12-16-2024 3:02 PM

Modified: 12-16-2024 7:12 PM


GREENFIELD — Santa Claus paid a visit to the Pioneer Valley Veterinary Hospital on Saturday to take photos with families and their pets to help raise money for the K-9 units of the Montague and Greenfield Police departments.

This tradition at the veterinary hospital and boarding facility at 571 Bernardston Road got its start 16 years ago, with the money raised being split between the two police departments. In total, the fundraiser collected $1,750 this year from Santa photos and raffle prize ticket sales.

Additionally, both police departments gave a demonstration of tracking, suspect apprehension and obedience training with their K-9s, including the new Montague K-9, Larry, who was sworn in earlier this month.

Judy Call, practice manager at Pioneer Valley Veterinary Hospital, said the Santa photos began in 2005, missing just a few years. The fundraiser has provided money for the Greenfield Police K-9s from the start, and began splitting the money with Montague two years ago.

Call said the relationship between Pioneer Valley Veterinary Hospital and the two police departments is particularly personal as the K-9s are treated at the clinic.

“We get to know them a little bit more on a personal level, so the idea of helping them to raise money to support their medical needs, it means a lot to us,” Call said. “Supporting the police departments and the K-9s is definitely something that we think is a good thing, and we are supportive of.”

This support goes a long way for the departments as well. Gill-Montague Regional School District School Resource Officer Daniel Miner and Montague Police Officer James Ruddock explained the money they receive goes straight back into care costs for their K-9 partners.

“With most of the municipal dogs, these dogs are all funded by fundraisers and donations,” Miner said about the K-9s. For his part, Miner and his dog, Mack, provide service to the school district, with Mack acting as a comfort dog. Community outreach, veterinary care and other expenses for the dogs are all covered by these donations and fundraisers.

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Lt. Benjamin Goody of the Franklin County Sheriff's Office explained that the K-9s, like his partner Reno, serve a crucial role due to their skills and training.

“We have a lot of different facets covered, as far as how the dogs can help us, because with their abilities, they’re able to do stuff that 10 police officers couldn’t,” Goody said.

Additionally, the K-9 demonstrations provide the public with a better understanding of the dogs’ training. Both Greenfield Police Officer Marcus Johansson with bloodhound Ellie-May and Officer Patrick Merrigan with K-9 Niko were able to show off their skills. Merrigan said the demonstration can be insightful for the public.

With $1,750 ready to go and more money on the way from ongoing raffles at the vet clinic, the K-9s can expect the gift of care this Christmas.

Until Dec. 30, community members who missed the Santa photos can still participate in a cash-only 50/50 raffle, and try their hand at winning raffle baskets for cats and dogs alike worth $4,000. On Dec. 31, winners will be drawn. More information is available on the Pioneer Valley Veterinary Hospital Facebook page at tinyurl.com/PioneerValleyVetClinic.

Erin-Leigh Hoffman can be reached at ehoffman@recorder.com or 413-930-4231.