Max, Owego Police Department Critical Incident Therapy Dog, Dies

A dog from Texas who became a member of a Tioga County police agency has died.

According to the Owego Police Department, K-9 Max lost his fight with cancer on Wednesday.

Max was certified as a critical incident therapy dog early this year. His handler, Sonya Bement, described him as a "sweet, older dog" who had experienced "his share of ups and downs."

Writing about Max In a paperback book, Bement revealed he had been surrendered to a "high-kill shelter" in Texas. When no one adopted him, he was moved to a no-kill shelter in Montrose, Pennsylvania.

The people in the shelter let him out of his cage and allowed him to "snuggle the office staff when they were working." According to Bement, "these small acts of compassion impacted him so much that he went on to become the area's first Critical Incident Therapy Dog."

Bement wrote: "Max shows us how to love each other back to health - just like he was."

In a social media post, the Owego Police Department said Max and Sonya assisted at village events and were available for crisis interventions with adults and children.

The post added: "Max was therapeutic to all who came in contact with him, especially us police officers around the station. He will forever be missed."

K-9 MAX: EOW (End-of-Watch) 12/06/2023

Enter your number to get our free mobile app

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.