An exciting new member has joined the Lawrenceville Police Department in the form of a 7-month-old Goldendoodle named Rowan! K9 Rowan isn’t your typical Goldendoodle, he’s Lawrenceville’s first Community Wellness Dog. As part of an initiative to support the mental health of first responders in the area, “Ro” will also serve to help foster relationships between the Lawrenceville community and law enforcement.
Meet Ro
Besides being absolutely adorable, Rowan has an impressive skillset through his therapy training. He can provide comfort and emotional relief to anyone experiencing stress, trauma or a crisis. In fact, this will be Rowan’s primary role for the police department! You’ll be able to spot Rowan at local schools, community events and other upcoming public appearances.
Benefits of Therapy Dogs
It’s well-known that dogs can have a calming presence for humans, whether that’s lowering their heart rate and blood pressure or helping to relieve issues such as anxiety and fear. Rowan will have an important role besides providing a calming presence at community events and appearances. The LPD plans to utilize Rowan to assist individuals in crises to help ease any trauma. He will also aid officers in the department by offering a calming solution to any stress. As such, Rowan will serve both the community and its officers equally, which Chief John Mullin reiterated by stating, “This program demonstrates our dedication to meeting the emotional and mental health needs of both our officers and our citizens.”
Community Wellness Dog Program
Rowan’s new role for the Lawrenceville Police Department was made possible by partnerships with Tales of Hope and Coco’s Cupboard Inc. Tales of Hope is a service dog training facility located in Meriwether County. Their sister organization Coco’s Cupboard which began back in 2013, started training ADA-compliant service dogs to help service members and veterans. With the success of Coco’s Cupboard, the organization found that non-service members also needed the benefit of service and therapy dogs which led to Tales of Hope. Founded in 2020, this all-inclusive program provides dog service training for first responders, special needs children, disabled individuals, and of course veterans and service members.
With new initiatives such as the Community Wellness Dog Program, the LPD will continue to look after the mental health of Lawrenceville’s residents as well as its officers who serve and protect the community. Keep an eye out the next time you’re at a Lawrenceville event for K9 Rowan and his handler Officer Cole!
City of Lawrenceville, GA | Posted January 14, 2025