Chloe joins Westerville police as first therapy dog
It was during some of the most difficult days the Westerville police department ever experienced that the comfort a dog can bring became so evident.
And it’s why Chloe, a friendly, 14month-old, yellow English Labrador retriever, is now a member of the Westerville police force. She started serving as the department’s first therapy K-9 last week.
On Feb. 10, 2018, Westerville police officers Eric Joering and Anthony Morelli were fatally shot while responding to a domestic violence call.
The sudden deaths shocked and saddened the men and women who work in the Westerville police department. Chief Charles Chandler was then a lieutenant.
In the days afterward, the Franklin County Sheriff’s office brought over their therapy dogs. The sheriff’s office started its therapy dog program in 2017 and now has three. Columbus police started their unit last year and has five therapy dogs
Watching how the dogs interacted with members of the department and helped to calm people at a difficult time resonated with Chandler.
Officer Mark Wojciehowski also remembers how the dogs were such a welcome relief for himself and other members of the department.
“They were so therapeutic, especially when people don’t want to talk,” Wojciehowski said. “You could just see people melt.”
Chandler said he believes the timing was right for Westerville to have a therapy dog.
Wojciehowski was chosen to be Chloe’s handler, in part because he is also the department’s Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) officer, who teaches children about the dangers of drugs.
“A dog is a good tool to have because they have a bond with kids,” Chandler said.
The chief said he also envisions how Chloe could be helpful when his department encounters “child victims or cases of domestic violence.”
For now, though, Chloe spent this week getting acquainted with the Westerville police staff. Wojciehowski said that Chloe was with him when he taught a DARE class to fifth graders via Zoom.
Chloe was purchased from the Rocky Hill Farms in Perrysville, Ashland County. When Chloe is off-duty, she stays with Wojciehowski.
In the coming days, Chloe will be going to dog obedience school and be taught how to become a better therapy dog.
Wojciehowski said that while Chloe is a young dog, she seems mature for her age and shows good signs of being able to perform the job well.
“She has a great demeanor and is very teachable,” Wojciehowski said.
Westerville police already has a K-9 patrol dog. Chloe, though, will not be duplicating the duties of the other dog.
“She will just do community relations and therapy,” Chandler said.
And that’s something that’s needed, Chandler said, “especially with these times (of COVID-19) when we need to bring a little sunshine.” jwoods@dispatch.com @Woodsnight