GREEN RIVER — The Green River City Council will consider authorizing the Green River Police Department (GRPD) to seek a children’s trust fund grant for a therapy canine program during their meeting Tuesday night.

The meeting will start at 7 pm, Tuesday, February 2. The meeting will be through Zoom and can be viewed by the public on the City’s YouTube page.

According to information provided in the Council’s packet, the GRPD is frequently called upon to interview children victims of crime.

“These interviews are difficult and have the potential for creating additional trauma for those victims,” the resolution states.

GRPD Detective Holzgrafe has identified programs in other states that utilize a therapy canine to assist victims during interviews and later court testimony. The Department of Family Services has identified the Children’s Trust Fund Grant as a potential funding opportunity to cover the initial purchase and training of a therapy canine.

As for a fiscal impact on the city, the grant could offset some or all of the $7,000 cost anticipated in starting the program. However, having a program, will result in ongoing costs to care for the animal.

To view the full meeting agenda, click here.