'He will help kids in crisis': Littleton Public Schools' new therapy dog sworn in

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CENTENNIAL, Colo. — It’s a family affair for the therapy dogs working with the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office. On April 19, Zeke, a four-month-old black lab, was sworn in by Sheriff Tyler Brown as the department's second therapy dog.

Zeke’s brother, one-year-old Rex, is the other therapy dog.

The siblings are both working at Littleton Public Schools. After becoming officially certified as a therapy dog, Zeke will work at Newton Middle School with his handler, Deputy Travis Jones.

“The pair will work with all students, including those with special needs,” the department said in a news release. “[Zeke] will also help comfort students in crisis or times of stress and help those who suffer from anxiety or depression.”

For Travis Jones, a school resource officer, working with a dog named Zeke has been a dream of his since he was a child.

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Dan was with the Aurora Police Department from 1973 to 1996.

“I think he was the best police dog,” Dan said of Zeke Number One. “But you can ask any K-9 handler and they’re going to tell you that their dog is the best police dog.”

Dan said when Travis told him he was naming the new therapy dog Zeke, it “humbled him.” As for Travis, he’s looking forward to the privilege of working with a dog every day.

“He will help kids in crisis,” Travis said about Zeke Number Two. “He will help adults in crisis — teachers have bad days, too. He’s there to just make school a more welcoming and comfortable environment.”

Brian Willie is the content production manager at Rocky Mountain PBS. You can reach him at brianwillie@rmpbs.org.

Kyle Cooke is the digital media manager at Rocky Mountain PBS. You can reach him at kylecooke@rmpbs.org.

When Travis was a boy, his father, Dan Jones, was a police officer in the K-9 unit for the Aurora Police Department. His dog’s name? Zeke.

“My fondest memories are of that dog, our family pet,” Travis said about his father’s partner, who they affectionately refer to as Zeke Number One. “I never knew him as a police dog … he was a family member.”