Illinois Therapy K-9s Spotlighted at International Police Conference in California
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA — Illinois therapy K-9s and their handlers took center stage earlier this month at an international police conference in California, where they presented on the growing role of therapy dogs in law enforcement crisis response.
The Illinois delegation included Jennifer Wooldridge, coordinator of the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB) State Crisis Intervention Team (CIT), Chief Legal Counsel John Keigher, regional coordinators, and three therapy K-9s — Trooper, Zilly, and Chase — along with their handlers.
Illinois Launches Certification Program
During the presentation, officials highlighted how Illinois became one of the first states to launch a specialized certification program for CIT officers and co-responders using therapy dogs. Governor JB Pritzker signed the program into law on August 8, giving law enforcement agencies a formal framework to deploy therapy dogs during crises.
“This is a significant moment for communities across Illinois,” Wooldridge said. “Now more than ever, our communities need this support. The ability for people to express their grief and relieve their stress in the presence of these wonderful K-9s is truly impactful.”
Keigher added that the certification program will ensure therapy dog teams are “exceptionally trained and readily available to support communities and first responders across Illinois.”
Roots in Cook County’s Tails of Redemption
One of the featured dogs, Trooper, came from the Tails of Redemption program established by the Cook County Sheriff’s Office. The initiative enlists people in custody to provide obedience training to rescue dogs, who later become therapy animals.
The program offers rehabilitation opportunities for detainees while preparing dogs to serve in community support roles.
Sheriff Thomas J. Dart praised the program’s impact, saying, “Providing public safety is more than answering emergency calls, it is also comforting our communities during a crisis. I am especially proud of Tails of Redemption’s role in helping our local law enforcement agencies support the residents they serve.”
Real-World Impact of Therapy Dogs
The effectiveness of these K-9s was evident this summer when Trooper, Zilly, and Chase were deployed after the YNOT Outdoors After School camp tragedy in Chatham. The dogs provided comfort to grieving children, community members, and first responders.
Officials at the conference emphasized that therapy dogs are not a replacement for emergency response but a complement — offering emotional relief during some of the hardest moments a community can face.
Interest From Other States
Following the Illinois presentation, several states expressed interest in replicating the certification model, requesting more details on how to integrate therapy K-9s into their own crisis intervention programs.
Have you or someone you know ever interacted with therapy K-9s during a community crisis or public event? Share your experiences in the comments, and keep following ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com for more community and public safety updates.
