The Renton Police Department welcomed its new therapy K9 to help department employees, victims, witnesses and community members cope with exposure to traumatic incidents.

Wally is a 16-month-old English Yellow Labrador who has been taught to recognize anxiety in people and assist people suffering from post traumatic stress disorder-related issues, Chief Jon Schuldt said at the March 17 Renton City Council meeting. Schuldt said Wally is extremely friendly and always looks for pets and hugs from anyone and everyone.

Wally is a new part of the department’s wellness programs. Schuldt said officers are constantly bombarded by situations that affect them mentally for the rest of their lives. He said the department is looking at the therapy K9 program alongside other support services to alleviate some of the burdens of the job.

According to RPD spokesperson Meeghan Black, some of the support services already deployed at the department include a peer support team and a mental health professional available to address any needs that come up. She said Wally will complement those services.

Black said officers are often called on someone’s worst day, where they are faced with responding to domestic violence involving children, car accidents, scenes of violence and mental health incidents. She said officers see things in their careers that most people don’t see in a lifetime.

Wally’s handler is RPD officer Jeff Myers, who began training with Wally in February. Their training is ongoing.

Black said the department added Wally to the team because his use in the department and the community was seen as a huge benefit. Black said Wally can be used for trauma scenes and other incidents to comfort community members when needed. She added that Wally would attend community events and be equipped with a vest that reads, “Pet me.”

“Wally’s presence is a stress reliever. His unconditional love is felt in every situation,” Black said. “People light up when Wally appears, whether officers or community members.”

Wally was purchased through an overage in one of the department’s sub-budgets and cost $6,000, Black said. That price included his current and future training. She said that Wally came from Cascade Service Dogs, a Pierce County organization that trains therapy dogs.

Wally lives at home with Myers and his family. Black said when Wally clocks out and heads home for the night, he’s a typical puppy with lots of energy and loves to play with his people.

Therapy K9 Wally. Courtesy photo.