Rolf, the German Shepherd served the Wareham Police Department for nine years, and now that he has gotten older, the community has rallied to help him during his retirement. 

Geoff Worrell is a friend of Rolf’s handler, Officer Mike Phinney. When he heard that the now-retired police dog was in need of medical care, he said to himself “I’ve got to do something.”

Worrell teamed up with Traci Medeiros, owner of the Gallery Consignment Shoppe to sell raffle tickets to raise money towards Rolf’s medical expenses. 

Worrell explained that when police dogs retire, they become the responsibility of the officer that worked with them. Unlike their human coworkers, K-9s do not receive health insurance, or any other benefits after they retire from the force.

During the month of January, Medeiros and Worrell sold tickets at a price of one for $5, or three for $10. At the end of the month, they raised just over $1,500 for the senior dog. 

On Jan. 31, the fundraiser organizers held a raffle drawing at the Gallery Consignment Shoppe, and awarded a new 43-inch television to the winner, just in time to watch the Superbowl.

Medeiros said that the fundraiser demonstrated how Wareham is a great community. Whether man, or dog she said that “when one person is down, we all rally to help them.” 

For Worrell, the fundraiser was also an opportunity to spread awareness. While there is no formal state, or federal law in place today, he said that he would like to create a policy that would offer some type of financial support to retired police dogs.