Oh, Myya! Washington County Sheriff’s Office introduces new facility K-9
The newest member of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office happens to have four legs.
The sheriff’s office has welcomed K-9 Myya, a 6-month-old yellow Labrador retriever who is training to become a facility dog.
When Myya and her partner, Deputy Madison Klempay, complete training, Myya will provide comfort for people at the Washington County Courthouse, provide assistance during crisis situations throughout the county, and attend community events.
“She just brings a boost of happiness,” said Klempay. “She’s here to make people comfortable in stressful situations. For example, if the district attorney’s office for victim services reaches out to us and says they have someone who has to testify, Myya and I will attend court with them, just to provide comfort.”
Myya and Klempay join two other department K-9 teams, K-9 Sammi and Deputy Kris Salzman, and K-9 Creed and Cpl. Devin Cameron. Sammi is trained in bomb and patrol, and Creed specializes in narcotics and patrol.
Myya was matched with the sheriff’s office by VetPets of SWPA, and is training at Garrow Canine Training LLC. After she earns her certification as a facility dog, Klempay plans to have the pup certified as a search K-9.
“If a child or elderly adult goes missing, we could track, and the cool thing about her is that when she finds the person, they can love up on her and she can provide emotional support,” said Klempay.
Klempay and Myya are a perfect match. Klempay, 27, earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and mental health and served as a victim advocate for the Washington County District Attorney’s Office and worked as a probation officer before she joined the sheriff department a little over a year ago. She graduated from the Pennsylvania Sheriff and Deputy Sheriff Education Training Program in May.
Klempay is a crisis intervention technician officer and serves as a crisis and hostage negotiator with the Washington Regional SWAT team.
“I’m super excited because it brings my two worlds together, my passion for mental health and the psychology aspect of this, and my law enforcement,” said Klempay. “It’s a good collaboration between law enforcement and dealing with people in crisis.”
Klempay’s father, Daniel Rush, served with the city of Washington Police Department for 22 years, including two as police chief, until he retired.
Klempay and her husband, Cecil Township police officer Cody Klempay – who has Myya duty when Klempay has other assignments – are enjoying the furry companion who has joined their home.
Klempay and Myya have bonded quickly since they were paired about a month-and-a-half ago, and they spend nearly all of their time together.
“She’s very bubbly, and she’s also very chill. She just wants to be loved and wants to be petted. She has a lot of puppy in her, but she can be very calm, and her training is going well. I’m getting more trained than she is,” laughed Klempay.
The benefits of having a K-9 facility dog within law enforcement departments are considerable, Klempay said, and canines like Myya are becoming an increasingly important tool.
Not only do facility K-9s promote communication with vulnerable populations such as victims and those experiencing a mental health crisis, but they also allow the community to engage with law enforcement on a new level and they help to boost the spirits and reduce the stress and anxiety of officers and staff.
“Our office is 1,000% benefitting from her, right off the bat. When Myya walks into a room, everybody lights up,” said Klempay. “She makes everyone’s day so much better.
“We have guys who have worked 20 and 30 years and have been to some really bad places and been in some really tough situations, and to see them get down on the ground and talk to her and play with her, I cannot even tell you how great that is.”
Myya has already attended some public events, including FlightFest at the Washington County Airport and Mon Valley Night Out in Rostraver Township, which brings together the community and first responders from local municipalities.
“So the fun community events are great, we love to do them, but my goal with Myya is to make a difference during the tough times,” Klempay said. “We have a lot of engagement with the public and law enforcement during moments of crisis, and we want to be able to be involved when stuff gets tough. And that’s where Myya comes in. If she can bring one minute of happiness to someone on the worst day of their life, then it will all be worth it.”