CIT Illinois - Illinois Law Enforcement Training & Standards Board

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CIT Illinois - Illinois Law Enforcement Training & Standards Board CIT Illinois - ILETSB

10/22/2026

Earlier this week, Director Hotz traveled to Canada to co-present at the CIT International Conference alongside John Williams, IL Regional CIT Coordinator, and John Keigher, ILETSB Chief Legal Counsel. Williams and Keigher shared insights on Illinois' statewide CIT programs, while Hotz highlighted the ILETSB Executive Institute's leadership development and training initiatives. Together, the presenters showcased innovative approaches that support law enforcement professionals and strengthen public safety throughout Illinois.

Yesterday, state-certified CIT Crisis Response Therapy K9s Trooper and Ghost Central Illinois Police Training Center (MT...
10/14/2026

Yesterday, state-certified CIT Crisis Response Therapy K9s Trooper and Ghost Central Illinois Police Training Center (MTU 7) visited Bushnell to participate in a full-scale reunification exercise.

At the invitation of ILETSB Executive Institute, these specialized teams integrated into emergency response operations simulating post-incident family reunification procedures.

Reunification operations take place following a critical event or emergency evacuation, when stress and trauma levels are highest for students, parents, and school personnel. Integrating state-certified therapy canine teams into these scenarios ensures that handlers and canines can deliver an immediate, stabilizing, trauma-informed presence during high-stress family reunifications.

Exercises like this highlight the role of inter-agency collaboration, advanced environmental acclimation, and ongoing scenario-based training under the state's CIT Crisis Response Therapy Canine Certification Program.

We thank the ILETSB Executive Institute, MTU 7, and local public safety and educational partners in Bushnell for leading this exercise.

The Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board and ILETSB Executive Institute recently participated in the Co...
10/14/2026

The Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board and ILETSB Executive Institute recently participated in the Cook County Sheriff's Office (Official) Responder Reset Wellness Symposium in Oak Brook.

ILETSB is proud to sponsor this annual event and was honored to have our team speak about our state-certified CIT Crisis Response Therapy Canine Certification Program and deliver the closing remarks.

Our Deputy Director, Jennifer Wooldridge, and our Therapy K9 Trooper presented alongside Jerry Roman, Director of the Cook County Sheriff's Office "Tails of Redemption", and their state-certified Therapy K9s, Winston and Zilly. Joining them was the CCSO team of Therapy K9s currently in training:

🔹Cookie
🔹Moose (not pictured)
🔹Ulna

Officer wellness is foundational to public safety. By supporting initiatives focused on mental wellness and professional resilience, the Board continues to ensure first responders across Illinois have the resources needed to maintain operational readiness and serve their communities at the highest level.

Over the weekend, state-certified CIT Crisis Response Therapy K9 Trooper visited Erin’s Pavilion in Springfield for the ...
10/14/2026

Over the weekend, state-certified CIT Crisis Response Therapy K9 Trooper visited Erin’s Pavilion in Springfield for the Making Strides of Central Illinois Breast Cancer Walk.

Trooper teamed up with the Glenwood High School cheer team to greet attendees, encourage walkers, and provide a positive, comforting presence throughout the event.

Community engagement and wellness support are pillars of the state's CIT Crisis Response Therapy Canine Certification Program. We are proud to stand alongside the Glenwood High School Cheerleading team, our Central Illinois community, and all those walking to raise awareness and support for breast cancer fighters and survivors.

On Wednesday, representatives from the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board attended the Illinois Schoo...
10/09/2026

On Wednesday, representatives from the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board attended the Illinois School Safety Conference.

Our team, including our very own Therapy K9 Trooper, hosted an informational table alongside other state-certified CIT Crisis Response Therapy Canine teams. Joining our Board staff were representatives from the Cook County Sheriff's Office (Official), Kendall County Sheriff's Office and the Worth Police Department. Therapy K9s on hand included:

Cook County Sheriff's Office:
🔹Winston
🔹Ulna (K9 in Training)
🔹Zilly

Kendall County Sheriff’s Office:
🔹Snow (not pictured)

Worth Police Department:
🔹Louie

We want to thank Illinois School and Campus Safety for letting us host a table at the event and share information about the resources and support we provide to agencies statewide.

On Wednesday, State Certified CIT Crisis Response Therapy Canine teams from across Illinois convened in Chicago for thei...
10/05/2026

On Wednesday, State Certified CIT Crisis Response Therapy Canine teams from across Illinois convened in Chicago for their monthly operational training.

Hosted by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board, in partnership with Cook County Sheriff's Office (Official) , this ongoing training focuses on advanced obedience and environmental exposure. Handlers and their canines began with structural exercises at the ILETSB Chicago office before deploying to high-traffic, public environments along the Navy Pier boardwalk and inside the Chicago Children's Museum.

Exposing these Therapy K9s to different sounds, sights, and distractions helps prepare them to consistently maintain a calm, stabilizing presence regardless of the environment. Fully state-certified canines spent time engaging with families, children, and museum staff inside the Chicago Children's Museum. Meanwhile, canines currently in training worked on their obedience and confidence building at the ILETSB Chicago office and along the Navy Pier boardwalk. Training was personalized for the non-state certified Therapy K9s to ensuring they process new stimuli at a pace appropriate for them before advancing to enclosed, higher-distraction environments.

Special thanks to Cook County Sheriff’s Office for leading the training, especially their therapy dog trainers: Jerry Roman, Kenny Canada, Veronica Grigorio and Edgar Ortiz Antununez.

We would like to thank the Chicago Children's Museum and Navy Pier for facilitating this helpful training opportunity. We also recognize the following participating agencies, handlers, and program leadership for their continued commitment to officer wellness and community support:

Fully State-Certified CIT Therapy Canine Teams:

ILETSB – Deputy Director Jennifer Wooldridge with K9 Trooper
CCSO – Deputy Edgar Antunez Ortiz
Cook County Sheriff's Office "Tails of Redemption" – Director Jerry Roman with K9 Zilly
CCSO – Deputy Kenneth Canada
CCSO – AWC Veronica Grigorio
CCSO – Jacquelyn Hedderman with K9 Winston
Kendall County Sheriff's Office – Deputy Stewart Blouin with K9 Snow
Lake Villa Police – Officer John Baghdasirian with K9 Charli
Maroa Police Department – CSO Christopher Ware with K9 Sandy
Central Illinois Police Training Center – Director Brian Fengel with K9 Ghost
Orland Park Police Department – Officer Daniel Minx with K9 Petals
Skokie Police Department – Sergeant Brandi Shelton with K9 America (Meri)
SIUE Police Department – Officer Curtis Schwarzkopf with K-9 Chase

Canines in Training:

CCSO / Tails of Redemption – K9 Ulna
Elk Grove Police Department – K9 Pepper

Through consistent, scenario-based monthly training, ILETSB ensures local municipalities have access to highly vetted, state-certified Therapy K9s to be used as a trusted resources capable of operating during routine community engagement and active crisis response.

Learn more about our program by going to: https://www.ptb.illinois.gov/training/crisis-intervention-team-cit/crisis-response-therapy-canine-certification-program/

State Certified CIT Crisis Response Therapy Canines were working across Illinois last week, supporting law enforcement p...
09/24/2026

State Certified CIT Crisis Response Therapy Canines were working across Illinois last week, supporting law enforcement personnel and municipal leaders at two major conferences.

At the Law Enforcement Administrative Professionals L3C Conference in Naperville, our very own Therapy K9 Trooper joined K9 Chase from the SIUE Police Department (Therapy K9 Zilly from the Cook County Sheriff's Office and Therapy K9 in training, Ulna, from Cook County Tails of Redemption were also on hand, but not pictured).

In addition to greeting attendees at the ILETSB exhibit table, team members delivered an educational presentation on the deployment protocols and operational benefits of therapy canines in public safety. Trooper also attended the ilmunicipalleague Annual Conference in Chicago, joining state certified Therapy K9 Zilly from the cookcountysheriff and Therapy K9 in training, Ulna, from Cook County Sheriff's Office "Tails of Redemption".

As the regulatory body for law enforcement training, ILETSB administers the first and only state certification specifically tailored to therapy dogs in law enforcement settings: the CIT Crisis Response Therapy Canine Certification Program.

Along with basic civilian therapy dog designations, state certification requires canine teams to pass rigorous 24-hour, scenario-based assessments with live actors. This ensures certified teams can maintain a calm, stabilizing presence in high-stress environments without reliance on electronic training collars.

Whether providing critical incident debriefing support or fostering positive community outreach, ILETSB certified teams meet the highest operational standards for agencies and municipalities statewide.

Learn more about our state certified therapy canine program, including certification requirements as well as prerequisites to apply and agency implementation at: https://www.ptb.illinois.gov/training/crisis-intervention-team-cit/crisis-response-therapy-canine-certification-program/

CIT Crisis Response Therapy Canines were on hand to welcome the newest police chiefs and deputy chiefs at the 2026 New C...
09/17/2026

CIT Crisis Response Therapy Canines were on hand to welcome the newest police chiefs and deputy chiefs at the 2026 New Chiefs of Police Orientation, presented by the ILETSB Executive Institute.

ILETSB Certified Therapy K9 Trooper was joined by certified Therapy K9 Zilly from the , along with Therapy K9 in training, Ulna, from Cook County Sheriff's Office "Tails of Redemption" .

The trio showcased the compassionate, supportive side of the statewide program. Whether responding to critical incidents or engaging during routine agency operations, the CIT Crisis Response Therapy Canine Program is built to serve personnel and communities across Illinois.

These dogs—whether fully certified or in training—provide the same calm, stabilizing presence at a conference or school as they do on scene during a crisis.

We congratulate the incoming law enforcement personnel joining leadership ranks across Illinois.

Earlier this week, our CIT Crisis Response Therapy K9 team was requested to support the students and faculty at SIUE Eas...
09/11/2026

Earlier this week, our CIT Crisis Response Therapy K9 team was requested to support the students and faculty at SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School after a loss in their school community.

Trooper and the team spent time simply being present—offering quiet comfort, a soft belly to scratch, and a reminder that no one has to face hard moments alone.

We are grateful to be able to serve in this way. Thinking of the entire SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School family.

Mental health matters—for our communities, our first responders, and everyone in between.This National Su***de Preventio...
09/08/2026

Mental health matters—for our communities, our first responders, and everyone in between.

This National Su***de Prevention Awareness Month, the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board encourages anyone struggling to reach out. No problem is too small, and no story is unimportant.

If you or someone you know needs support, call or text 988 anytime. Connect, support, and prevent—together.

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500 S. 9th Street
Springfield, IL
62701

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+12177824540

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