CME Federal Credit Union Partners with Columbus Police Therapy Dog Unit to Bring Comfort to Children Across Central Ohio

How a community partnership is helping children feel cared for during difficult moments.

At CME Federal Credit Union, community has always meant everything. It means showing up for our neighbors, supporting the people who serve Central Ohio, and finding meaningful ways to care for families. That heart for community is what makes CME’s partnership with the Columbus Division of Police Therapy Dog Unit and Mobile Bears of Central Ohio so special.

The program received local media attention on August 11, 2026 with coverage from WSYX ABC6 and NBC4. The stories highlighted Avery Russell, the eighth grader behind Avery’s Law, and the role the CPD therapy dogs played in supporting her recovery after a serious dog attack.

Avery was the first child to receive one of the stuffed therapy dogs through the new initiative. The keepsake serves as a reminder of the comfort, courage, and connection that therapy dogs can provide during difficult moments.

Supporting Children Through Comfort and Connection

The idea for the program started with Officer Destiny Antolec of the Columbus Division of Police Recruiting Unit/Cadet Program. After seeing how children connect with therapy dogs, she wanted to help make that comfort last beyond the moment they meet.

Columbus Police Therapy Dog Unit therapy dog lying in front of CME Federal Credit Union representatives, community partners, and dozens of stuffed therapy dogs that will be distributed to children in Central Ohio. The group stands behind donation bins filled with plush dogs in a community gathering space lined with flags.

Officer Antolec connected with Nicole LaMar of Mobile Bears of Central Ohio and Cassie Gress at CME Federal Credit Union to bring the idea to life. Together, they created a simple but meaningful way to remind children that they are supported and not alone.

“I am grateful to God and my family for inspiration and motivation. I am so impressed at the hard work and generosity of CME and Ms. LaMar. And I cannot give enough appreciation to the work that the CPD Therapy Dogs and officers do on a daily basis. The children that will receive these stuffed dogs deserve all of the hope and comfort in the world,” said Officer Antolec.

Each stuffed dog will wear a co-branded shirt, with space for children to decorate their new keepsake using fabric markers. Each child will also receive a supportive resource bag with an adoption certificate for their new stuffed pal, a bookmark, a sticker, and age-appropriate financial literacy materials from CME.

A Partnership Rooted in Community Care

CME’s roots are deeply connected to Central Ohio’s first responder community. Founded by Columbus firefighters in 1935, CME has grown into a member-owned financial cooperative serving people across Central Ohio while continuing to support the public servants, families, schools, and community organizations that make our region stronger.

This partnership is a natural extension of CME’s “Community Means Everything” philosophy. By working with the Columbus Police Therapy Dog Unit and Mobile Bears of Central Ohio, CME hopes to help bring comfort and connection.

“We are honored to support a program that brings comfort to children when they need it most,” said Cassie Gress, Digital Marketing & Partnerships Manager at CME Federal Credit Union. “The Columbus Police Therapy Dog Unit does incredible work in our community, and we are grateful for the opportunity to help give children something they can hold onto as a reminder that they are cared for and supported.”

Continuing to Bring Comfort Across Central Ohio

Through this community partnership, the Columbus Division of Police Therapy Dog Unit, CME Federal Credit Union, and Mobile Bears of Central Ohio will continue working together to bring comfort to children throughout Central Ohio.

For CME, this initiative is a reminder of what can happen when local organizations come together with compassion, creativity, and care.

Readers who would like to support Avery’s continued advocacy can visit her Children’s Champion fundraising page for the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon race weekend at https://www.givesignup.org/avery26. Avery is raising money for the ENT fund in honor of her recovery journey at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, where she received life-saving care after being injured in a dog attack. Donations support the work that helped Avery heal and continue her mission of bringing hope, awareness, and comfort to other children and families.