- Canton Police Department’s labradoodle Autumn serves as a therapy dog for officers, dispatchers, crime victims and witnesses.
- Autumn is stationed at the Boys & Girls Club, allowing for regular interaction with the community and officers.
- She was acquired with a grant and help from the nonprofit K9s for Warriors.
CANTON ‒ The police department has acquired a labradoodle named Autumn to serve as a therapy dog in multiple roles: supporting officers and dispatchers, appearing at community events, visiting schools, and supporting crime victims and witnesses.
Autumn is assigned to the community involvement unit at the police substation in the Boys & Girls Club of Canton at the J. Babe Stearn Community Center, 2628 13th St. SW, where she will have regular contact with the community and officers.
She and her partner, officer Brian Wasilewski, have attended peer support training to learn to help officers and dispatchers who experience daily stress and trauma on the job.
“We are always looking for innovative ways to improve our service to the community,” Police Chief John Gabbard said in a prepared statement. “Therapy dogs have been invaluable in lowering stress for victims and first responders, improving interviews and connecting with more of our community. Autumn will be a welcome addition to our team.”
He said the department’s newest recruit was acquired through a grant with the help of the K9s for Warriors, a nonprofit organization based in Ponte Vedra, Florida, that aims to support veterans and first responders.
As part of their mission, they collaborate with first responder agencies to provide therapy dogs through the “station dog” program.
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Reach Nancy at 330-580-8382 or nancy.molnar@cantonrep.com.
On X, formerly known as Twitter: @nmolnarTR
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