Therapy dog joins Peachtree City police efforts

There’s a new K9 officer reporting for duty at the Peachtree City Police Department. Tilly, a 5-year-old female collie, has become an official therapy dog with the city’s all-volunteer Auxiliary Police. She is registered with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, a national organization that provides training and certification, and is also a member of CAREing Paws in Georgia. Tilly is partnered with and owned by Auxiliary Police Officer Steve Wenrick.

The city says the intent of having a therapy dog as part of the department is “to reach citizens on a different level.” Such dogs can be used both during times of crisis as a means of comfort, as well as making officers more approachable in the community. The dogs can also help comfort the officers themselves following traumatic events, the city said. The department is encouraging residents to “please say hello” to Tilly and the officers at local events.