Meet Sheriff Rambosk’s Newest Recruit 

When CCSO executed a search warrant at the home of a suspected child predator, Victim Advocate Jackie Borchers responded with her new partner Readington.

The suspect’s stunned family didn’t know what to make of Readington’s presence amidst the disruption as a dozen detectives descended on their home, confiscating evidence and conducting interviews before making an arrest. One by one the family members gradually gravitated to Readington, stroking his soft fur, nuzzling his nose, giving hugs, and letting him assuage a moment of shock and disbelief in a way that no human could.

Golden PAWS Crisis Care Canine Readington isn’t tasked with tracking down suspects or missing people. The 4-year-old Golden Retriever works with cuddles and caresses, not lights and sirens, deescalating tense situations and providing comfort and emotional relief.

Sheriff Kevin Rambosk added extra paws to the ranks because he wanted to enhance his agency’s capacity to help victims and other individuals who are facing trauma and crisis.

“Crisis Care Canine Teams are a valuable tool for law enforcement and the citizens of Collier County,” Sheriff Rambosk said. “Crisis Care Canines provide positive interactions and lower anxiety and stress of a victim who has been subject to a traumatic experience.”

The Collier County Sheriff’s Office is among a small but growing number of law enforcement agencies that have added a Crisis Care Canine. These dogs have a proven track record of providing comfort and emotional support to individuals, especially children and law enforcement officers, during stressful and critical events.

“We have all been impressed at what an asset Readington is,” Sheriff Rambosk said. “I believe all law enforcement agencies can benefit from using a Crisis Care Canine and I would encourage those that don’t have a Crisis Care Canine program to consider investing in one.”

Readington was donated to CCSO from Golden PAWS Assistance Dogs in Naples through the nonprofit’s new Crisis Care Canine Program. The program integrates specially trained assistance dogs into Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Peer Support Teams in the community. These dogs are placed with law enforcement, EMS, and fire departments that hold/handle incident control positions.

These highly skilled canines serve as invaluable working dogs who provide comfort, contributing to the well-being of both adults and children navigating traumatic experiences.

 “We are delighted to support our community by providing Readington to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office,” said Jeannie Bates, Founder and CEO of Golden PAWS Assistance Dogs. “By harnessing the unique bond between humans and dogs, Readington aims to provide invaluable support, comfort, and companionship to those facing the most challenging of circumstances. We look forward to the positive impact Readington will have on the community as he and Jackie embark on their mission of care and compassion.”

Readington is assigned to Jackie Borchers, a 23-year CCSO veteran who is his handler and responsible for his daily needs 24/7.

Readington is being utilized across CCSO and responds to scenes as needed. He will be used extensively by the agency’s Special Crimes Bureau and INTERCEPT Task Force and Victim Services Bureau, which handle cases involving the most serious types of victimization, with many of the victims being children. Some of the situations Readington responds to are scenes of search warrants where children are involved, comforting grieving families during death notifications, and during interviews with a victim of a sex crime.

“We are really excited to use him in different situations to help mitigate some of the trauma for victims of serious violent crimes such as sexual abuse and child abuse,” said Lt. Wade Williams of the INTERCEPT Task Force and Victim Services Bureau. 

Readington is already proving his worth.

During the recent search warrant, Readington was utilized to go inside the suspect’s house while the search for evidence and interviews were going on. Several family members were home including the suspect’s preteen daughter. Readington stayed with the child in her room, letting her snuggle and pet him the entire time law enforcement was there.

“It was really moving to watch him because he just did his job, he did what he does best which is being there for people that are struggling,” Borchers said.

Lt. Williams added, “The child predator we arrested caused us to have to take certain actions which were unavoidable, but being able to bring a smile to the child’s face during that difficult situation was priceless.” 

And that’s the desired effect Sheriff Rambosk was looking for when he brought Readington aboard. 

When Readington is not on the job (wearing his red vest identifying him as a “Crisis Care Canine”) he goes home with Borchers where he likes to sit next to her husband, a veteran CCSO deputy, and decompress. When he’s feeling playful, there’s two rescue dogs, a cat, a horse and Guinea pig and 2.5 acres to romp around.

Readington has already developed bonds with CCSO certified and civilian members.

“Readington is a terrific addition to the CCSO family,” Sheriff Rambosk said. “I look forward to the comfort and attention Readington can bring to victims in our community and the therapeutic effects he can help provide to our deputies. This is just one more way I am working to provide the best service for our community.”