TO: Mayor and City Commission
FROM: Jennifer M. Johnson, City Clerk
DATE: October 8, 2025
Title
COMMEMORATING THE SERVICE OF COCO, LOYAL CANINE PARTNER IN PUBLIC SERVICE
Body
BACKGROUND:
The City of Margate honors the life and service of Coco, a German Shepherd therapy dog cherished by the community for her remarkable compassion, commitment, and courage. Coco served as the official Therapy Dog for the City of Margate, Florida, touching thousands of lives through comfort, support, and healing. She passed away in September 2025, leaving a legacy that will be remembered with gratitude and respect.
Coco was rescued from Miami Animal Control in 2011 when she was approximately three months old. Trained and cared for by her handler, Tom Savoca of Dog Training Does Matter, she demonstrated from her earliest days a gentle, calm demeanor that would carry her into years of dedicated therapy work. She began therapy visits as early as 2013, serving at Adult Day Care centers, nursing homes, and special needs classes through Canine Assisted Therapy (CAT) in Oakland Park. Her service expanded to include Canines for Christ Therapy Dog Ministry, with regular visits at Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale and outreach in spiritual, educational, and community settings.
An important facet of Coco’s service was her membership in the Margate Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). She stood among the first therapy dogs in the United States to be integrated into a CERT program. The Margate CERT Program, affiliated with the Margate Fire Department, trained volunteers in disaster preparedness, emergency response, and community safety. Coco’s role within CERT meant she was not only present at public functions, but also activated during times of crisis.
CONTACT PERSON: Jennifer M. Johnson, City Clerk