OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The Oshkosh Police Department is mourning the unexpected loss of its therapy dog.
K9 Magic became unexpectedly ill this past weekend and it was discovered that she had cancer surrounding her heart and other organs. Medical staff determined that there was nothing further that could be done to help K9 Magic recover so she was euthanized to end her pain.
The golden retriever was almost four-years-old when she passed.
K9 Magic was acquired by the police department in March of 2022 from Journey Together. As a therapy dog, she helped provide emotional support to both members of the community and officers. She worked with the department’s Behavioral Health Officer, Scott Sopata, and the Mental Health Crisis Specialist Co-Responder, Kayla Rodriguez. They respond to behavioral health related calls, highly sensitive/emotional calls for service, as well as being used to support employees of the Oshkosh Police Department after Critical Incidents.
K9 Magic had 364 deployments during her 20 months of service with the department.
In a press release, the police department wrote:
Magic was such a kind and happy dog with the softest fur. If we had a dollar for every time someone mentioned how soft she was, we’d have a never-ending supply of her favorite treats. Aside from all the calls for service that Magic was a part of, she was always out and about in our community. Magic attended “Magic Moments” once a month at Oshkosh North High School, “Coffee with a Cop” at Oshkosh West High School, various visits to the Day By Day Homeless Shelter, Solutions Recovery, State Street Center, Winnebago County Crisis Center and DHS, Winnebago County Sherriff’s Department Dispatch, Aurora ER, and Mercy ER-just to name a few. Magic had also recently attended a critical incident stress debrief for officers. Magic selected a specific officer, who was impacted by the incident, out of a room full of people. Magic’s intuition was like no other. This is just one specific example of how Magic has impacted and helped others.
