COPS Monitoring Adds K9 Assistant to Company Workforce
“There are talented people with service animals that may not know about us, and we are working to change that,” says Jim McMullen, COPS founder and president.
Kovu is considered a service animal and not a pet, but COPS reports that everyone at the company loves having him around.
WILLIAMSTOWN, N.J. — COPS Monitoring has welcomed its first K9 assistant to the company.
“I can’t tell you just how pleased I am that COPS Monitoring is the perfect atmosphere for employees and their service animals,” says Jim McMullen, COPS founder, president and SSI Industry Hall of Famer. “I’ll be honest, in our 45 years, it was only recently that we were approached with the idea of accommodating a K9 companion. There are talented people with service animals that may not know about us, and we are working to change that. We are fortunate that our monitoring centers are the perfect place for people with service animals who are inspired to help others through the work that we do.”
While Title 1 of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to private employers with 15 or more employees, state and local governments, employment agencies and labor unions, not every work environment is safe or hospitable to a service animal.
“It’s surprisingly difficult finding companies that have the right atmosphere for service animals,” explains Rebekkah, Kovu’s companion. “Kovu and I feel so fortunate to find a place like COPS Monitoring. We both feel at home here and are proud to be productive members of the team.”
Kovu is considered a service animal and not a pet, but COPS reports that everyone at the company loves having him around. In fact, studies have shown that the presence of dogs in the workplace can improve morale and lower stress levels – both vital to concentrating on critical tasks and an overall healthy workplace environment.
“When Kovu’s working, he’s very vigilant and has his eye on me at all times,” says Rebekkah. “When he’s off the clock, Kovu is a goofy, fun-loving boy who can usually be found at home playing with his tennis ball. He also enjoys tagging along at the farm to help keep me in good company.”
Service animals were legally recognized in the United States when the ADA was passed in 1990. Today, there are roughly a half-a-million service dogs in the United States, notes COPS. For more information on service animals, visit the ADA’s “Service Animals” page on its website.
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