On Tuesday, May 17, 2016, the students at Royalview Elementary, Willowick’s K-9 officer and local law enforcement officers dedicated a memorial honoring seventeen service dogs that have worked with numerous Lake County law enforcement agencies. 

This project was made possible by the graduating fifth grade students of Royalview Elementary School, as well as through the generosity of individual and corporate donors.  The Royalview students have worked on this project since the beginning of the school year as part of the annual Fifth Grade D.A.R.E. Mayor’s Challenge.  The Mayor’s Challenge began five years ago as an idea from longtime Willowick Mayor, Rich Bonde, who died earlier this year.

As part of the dedication, Royalview students were able to observe demonstrations completed by Lake County service dogs and paid tribute to Mayor Bonde who, as a former educator, was very passionate about this program.  This memorial is the only one of its kind in Ohio and will continue to honor future service dogs as a tribute to their dedication to our community.