Utica, NY – Today, Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon and Oneida County Sheriff Rob Maciol welcomed local K-9 officers and their handlers to Kookie’s Q & Creamery in Utica for an ice cream social honoring their service, presenting each participating department with a New York State Assembly Resolution recognizing Police Dog Day.

Honoring a legacy of service beginning in January 1908, when, decades ahead of the rest of the nation, the NYPD's Patrol Squad 1 became the first official police K-9 unit in the country, the Assembly resolution memorializes Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim September 1st, 2026, as Police Dog Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the national observance. Reflected today in the K-9 teams protecting communities across New York State, that legacy of service continues here in the Mohawk Valley.

In celebrating the service of the Mohawk Valley’s K-9 teams, Assemblywoman Buttenschon was joined today by Guardians of Freedom Founder John Brezinski, Sheriff Rob Maciol, and the working dog teams of the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office (Lieutenant Cusack and K-9 Jensen, Sergeant Baker and K-9 Blaise, and Sergeant Dorr and K-9 Mastro), the City of Utica Police Department, the City of Rome Police Department (Patrolman Pelton and K-9 Vator), the New Hartford Police Department (Sergeant Allen and K-9 JC), and the New York State Police (Trooper Noonan and K-9 Rya), formally commending each department with a Resolution presentation honoring their outstanding contributions to public and community safety and the selfless courage and dedication demonstrated day-after-day by police dogs and their handling officers in performance of their essential duties across our great state.

“Our K-9 officers and their handlers put themselves on the line every single day to keep our communities safe, and today was a small way of extending our sincere gratitude,” said Assemblywoman Buttenschon. “Built on trust and training, these teams share incredible and lifelong personal bonds, and it is an honor to recognize their service with this Resolution on behalf of the New York State Assembly and the great State of New York.”

“As a leader in law enforcement and a 37-year police veteran, I have seen firsthand throughout my career the valuable role our canine officers serve in supporting our officers and our communities. I want to thank all those who serve, as National Police Dog Day reminds us that our K-9s and their handlers are a key component of the law enforcement community”~Sheriff Rob Maciol

“As a veteran myself, I feel I have a responsibility to keep our community reminded of, and to show our support and appreciation for what our veterans and four legged soldiers have fought and sacrificed for. This gratitude extends to and is deserved by all those who serve, including our four legged officers and their handlers here today.”~ John Brezinski, Founder & Chairman of Guardians of Freedom