City of Ames’ Podcasts

One year on the job. Countless tail wags. Plenty of community appearances. And apparently, sleeping on duty is perfectly acceptable when you're one of the most popular officers at the Ames Police Department.

Penny, the Ames Police Department's Crisis Canine, is celebrating her first anniversary as a badged member of the department! But what does a year of police work look like when your primary responsibilities include providing comfort, building connections, and helping people through difficult situations?

In this episode of Ames in Focus, host Bill Gebhart welcomes back Ames Police Sergeant Amber Christian and her four-legged partner, Penny, for a look at their first year working together. From responding to stressful situations to making new friends at community events, Penny has a unique role in serving the Ames community.

When Penny first appeared on Ames in Focus, she was still learning the ropes. Now, with a full year of experience, Amber reflects on how Penny has grown, what they've learned together, and how the Crisis Canine Program is making a difference.

Unlike traditional police K9s trained for tracking, searching, or apprehension, Penny has a very different assignment. As a Crisis Canine, she's trained to provide comfort, help de-escalate stressful situations, and create connections with people who may be experiencing some of their most difficult moments. Sometimes, having a friendly dog nearby can make it easier for someone to relax, communicate, or simply feel supported.

But Penny's work doesn't stop when a crisis ends.

Community Connections are another important part of Penny's job. Whether she's attending public events, meeting residents, or helping introduce people to the Ames Police Department, Penny offers a different way for officers to connect with the community. After all, approaching a police officer might feel intimidating to some people, but approaching an officer with an adorable dog is another story!

Supporting Public Safety Employees is also part of Penny's mission. Police officers, dispatchers, and other public safety professionals regularly encounter difficult situations. Having Penny around can provide opportunities to decompress, connect, and find a little comfort during a challenging day.

Training and Partnership remain essential to the program's success. Amber and Penny continue working together to maintain their skills and strengthen their relationship. Amber also shares what it's like to have a partner who goes home with her at the end of the shift and whether Penny knows when it's time to stop being Officer Penny and just be a dog.

Supporting the Crisis Canine Program takes more than treats and belly rubs. Ongoing training, equipment, veterinary care, grooming, and other expenses are part of keeping Penny healthy and ready to serve. Community donations help support these needs and ensure the program can continue providing an important resource for the Ames Police Department and the community.

In this episode:

Celebrating Penny's first year as a badged member of the Ames Police Department

How the Crisis Canine Program has developed during its first year

What makes a Crisis Canine different from a traditional police K9

How Penny helps provide comfort and connection during stressful situations

The types of calls and situations where Penny can assist

How dogs can help people communicate and feel more comfortable

Penny's role in community events and public outreach

Building positive relationships between police officers and residents

Supporting the mental wellness of police officers, dispatchers, and other public safety employees

How Amber and Penny have grown as a team

The ongoing training required for a Crisis Canine and handler

What Penny is like when she's off duty

The costs of maintaining the Crisis Canine Program

How community donations support Penny's training, equipment, and care

Looking ahead to Penny's second year with the department

Penny may not write reports, make arrests, or answer questions during a podcast interview, but her role at the Ames Police Department is an important one. Whether she's helping someone through a difficult experience, supporting a fellow officer, or making a new friend at a community event, Penny demonstrates how a little compassion and connection can make a meaningful difference.

Want to support Penny and the Ames Police Department Crisis Canine Program?

Donations help cover ongoing expenses, including training, equipment, veterinary care, grooming, and other needs. To contribute, visit www.AmesAnimalShelter.org and follow the directions to make a donation to the Crisis Canine Program.

You can also follow the Ames Police Department and the City of Ames on social media to keep up with Penny and her adventures.

And don't forget to subscribe to Ames in Focus for more conversations with the people and programs that make Ames a great place to live, work, and play.

In this episode of From Agenda to Action, Communications and Outreach Director Susan Gwiasda sits down with Ames Mayor John Haila to recap key discussions and decisions from the Tuesday, Oct. 13 Ames City Council meeting.

They begin with proactive code enforcement in Campustown. Mayor Haila explains the City's approach to conducting regular code enforcement inspections in the Campustown area, why these efforts are important, and how they can help maintain safe and well-maintained properties in this busy part of Ames.

The conversation then turns to Curbside Recycling Opt Out criteria, specifically for residents whose garbage is collected in an alley. Susan and Mayor Haila discuss the criteria for opting out of the City's curbside recycling program and what residents with alley garbage collection should know about their options.

Next, they discuss the approval of revenue bonds for the new Ames Municipal Energy Center. Mayor Haila explains how this financing supports the City's plans for the new facility and what the project means for the future of Ames' municipal electric utility.

Finally, they look at the Ames Animal Services Facility remodel and the bidding process for the project. Susan and Mayor Haila discuss the next steps in moving the project forward and how improvements to the facility will support animal care and services for the Ames community.

From maintaining properties in Campustown and addressing recycling options to investing in the City's electric infrastructure and improving Animal Services facilities, this episode highlights several City Council decisions and what they mean for Ames residents.

From Agenda to Action is designed to give residents a clearer understanding of how City Council discussions translate into real-world impacts across Ames.

Regular Ames City Council meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, and all meetings are open to the public.

Get involved:

Watch meetings live or on demand on the City's YouTube page

View agendas and meeting materials at www.CityofAmes.org/CCMeetings

Have a topic you would like us to cover in a future episode? Email Eric.Gebhart@CityofAmes.org.

From Agenda to Action is part of the City of Ames Podcasts network, offering residents a clear and approachable way to stay informed about local government and community decisions.

Have an idea that could make Ames a little more sustainable? Maybe it involves saving energy, reducing waste, planting native vegetation, improving recycling, or getting young people involved in climate action. A great idea is a good start, but sometimes turning that idea into reality takes a little financial help.

In this episode of Ames in Focus, host Bill Gebhart sits down with City of Ames Sustainability Coordinator Nolan Sagan and Green Iowa AmeriCorps member Ava Brunner to explore the City's sustainability grant programs and how they can help residents, organizations, businesses, property owners, and young people bring their ideas to life.

The City's Climate Action Plan sets ambitious goals for creating a more sustainable Ames, but reaching those goals takes participation from the entire community. Nolan and Ava explain how the City's grant programs encourage community involvement, support creative solutions, and help turn local ideas into meaningful projects.

With several different funding opportunities available, knowing where to start can be a challenge. Bill, Nolan, and Ava break down four sustainability grant programs and explain who they're designed to help.

Community Climate Grants provide up to $10,000 for eligible organizations with projects focused on reducing energy consumption, reducing waste, conserving water, encouraging lower-emission transportation, or implementing nature-based solutions.

Residential Owner-Occupied Sustainability Grants help eligible Ames homeowners make significant energy improvements, including installing solar panels or whole-home heat pumps. The program can cover 30 percent of eligible project costs, up to $4,000, with income eligibility and other requirements.

The Multifamily Recycling Pilot helps owners of apartment buildings with five or more units establish recycling services for tenants. Funding can support expenses such as recycling containers, hauling services, educational materials, and other costs associated with getting a recycling program started. There might even be a pizza party involved!

The Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Fund puts sustainability ideas into the hands of young people ages 15 to 24. Through microgrants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, young people can develop and lead projects that support local climate action. Applications are due Friday, Oct. 16.

But having an idea is only part of the process. Nolan and Ava also discuss what makes a strong grant proposal, why education and community engagement are important components of sustainability projects, and how applicants can get help determining whether their ideas qualify.

In this episode:

How sustainability grants support the City's Climate Action Plan

Why community participation is essential to reaching sustainability goals

Examples of projects that can benefit from grant funding

Community Climate Grants of up to $10,000

Residential grants for solar panels and whole-home heat pumps

The Multifamily Recycling Pilot and how it supports apartment recycling

Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Fund grants for ages 15 to 24

The Friday, Oct. 16, Youth Climate Action Fund application deadline

What makes a strong sustainability grant proposal

The importance of education and community engagement

How to navigate the application process and avoid common mistakes

Where to find help when developing a project idea

Not every sustainability project needs to change the entire city overnight. Sometimes small steps can create a big impact, especially when residents and organizations work together to make Ames a more sustainable community.

Learn more about the City's sustainability grant opportunities, eligibility requirements, funding amounts, and application deadlines at www.CityofAmes.org/Sustainability and select Grants.

Have an idea but aren't sure which program is right for you? Contact the City's Sustainability team to learn more about available opportunities and how to get started.

In this episode of From Agenda to Action, host Bill Gebhart sits down with Ames Mayor John Haila to preview several key items scheduled for discussion at the upcoming Ames City Council meeting.

The meeting will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 6 p.m. in the Ames City Hall Council Chambers, located at 515 Clark Ave. Residents can attend in person or watch the meeting live on the City's YouTube and Facebook pages.

Bill and Mayor Haila take a look at several items coming before Council, including a proposed amendment to the City's sign regulations for churches located in residential zones, the beginning of biannual code enforcement inspections in Campustown, a preliminary plat for a proposed housing development, and plans for a new Ames Animal Services facility.

From neighborhood development and property maintenance to community facilities, these discussions touch on several aspects of life in Ames. Bill and Mayor Haila explore the background behind these agenda items, what Council will be considering, and why these topics matter to residents.

This episode highlights several agenda items that may be of interest to residents and the community. While it does not cover every topic, it offers a closer look at a few of the discussions Council will be considering and what they could mean for Ames. Think of it as your meeting preview, without having to read through hundreds of pages of agenda materials.

In this episode, we discuss:

Proposed changes to sign regulations for churches in residential zones

Biannual code enforcement inspections in Campustown

A preliminary plat for a proposed housing development

Plans for a new Ames Animal Services facility

From Agenda to Action is designed to give listeners a clearer understanding of what is on the agenda, what decisions Council will be asked to make, and how those decisions may impact daily life in Ames.

Regular Ames City Council meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, and all meetings are open to the public.

Are there agenda items or City Council topics you would like us to discuss in a future episode? Send us an email at eric.gebhart@CityofAmes.org.

Watch City Council meetings live or on demand on the City's YouTube page.

View agendas and meeting materials at www.CityofAmes.org/CityCouncil.

City Council agendas may change up to 24 hours before the meeting time. This podcast reflects the agenda as it exists at the time of recording.

From Agenda to Action is part of the City of Ames Podcasts network, offering residents a clear and approachable way to stay informed about local government and community decisions.

Cold weather means more time indoors, more time in close quarters, and unfortunately, more opportunities for respiratory illnesses to spread.

In this episode of Live Well. Be Well., Kacie Schumann takes a look at respiratory illness season and some of the steps you can take to help protect yourself and those around you. She covers common illnesses including influenza, COVID-19, RSV, and pneumonia, along with everyday prevention strategies and seasonal vaccinations. Seasonal shots

Kacie also breaks down who may be recommended to receive different vaccines, when to consider getting them, and why recommendations can vary based on your age, health, and individual circumstances. Seasonal shots

Episode Highlights
Know the Basics
Flu, COVID-19, RSV, and other respiratory illnesses can share many of the same symptoms. Kacie discusses common symptoms and the difference between antibiotics and antiviral medications. Seasonal shots

Everyday Prevention Matters
Washing your hands, avoiding touching your face, cleaning commonly touched surfaces, and staying home or distancing yourself when you're sick can all help reduce the spread of illness. Seasonal shots

Understanding Seasonal Vaccinations
Recommendations aren't necessarily the same for everyone. Kacie walks through recommendations discussed in the episode for flu, COVID-19, RSV, and pneumonia vaccines and explains how factors such as age, pregnancy, and individual health risks can affect them. Seasonal shots

Do the Vaccines Actually Work?
Kacie looks at research on how vaccination can reduce the risk of severe illness from influenza, COVID-19, RSV, and bacterial pneumonia, and why effectiveness can vary. Seasonal shots

When Should You Get Vaccinated?
Timing can make a difference. Kacie discusses why October can be a good time to consider seasonal vaccinations as we head toward the winter respiratory illness season. Seasonal shots

Can You Get More Than One Vaccine at a Time?
In many cases, vaccines can be given during the same visit. Your healthcare provider or pharmacist can help determine what's appropriate for you and the specific vaccines you're receiving. Seasonal shots

Talk With Your Healthcare Provider
If you've recently been sick or have questions about which vaccinations are appropriate for you, talk with your healthcare provider. Recommendations may vary depending on your individual circumstances. Seasonal shots

Resources
Your Local Epidemiologist: Your Guide to Fall 2026 Vaccines
An overview of seasonal influenza, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines, including recommendations and timing considerations.
Read the Fall 2026 vaccine guide

American Academy of Pediatrics: Immunization Schedule
Information and immunization recommendations for children and adolescents.
View the AAP Immunization Schedule

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: Maternal Immunization Guidance
Guidance on COVID-19, influenza, and RSV vaccination during pregnancy.
Read ACOG's maternal immunization guidance

American Academy of Family Physicians: Adult Immunization Schedules
Vaccine recommendations for adults based on age and medical indications.
View the adult immunization schedules

Infectious Diseases Society of America: Seasonal Respiratory Illness Vaccinations
Guidance on COVID-19, influenza, and RSV vaccination for immunocompromised patients.
Read the IDSA guidelines

Have a question, topic idea, or someone you would like to hear on the podcast?

Send suggestions to Kacie.Schumann@CityofAmes.org