New Therapy Dog 'Breaking The Internet' In Buffalo Grove: Village

BUFFALO GROVE, IL — Grady, the Buffalo Grove Police Department's new therapy dog, is arguably the most popular dog in the village Thursday.

"Grady has been well received so far," Molly Gillespie, director of communications and community engagement for the Village of Buffalo Grove, tells Patch. "He might be breaking the internet on our socials today."

Grady, a 4-year-old American Labradoodle, is the second ever therapy dog for the police department and the only one currently active. Gus, a white Labrador who had been with the police department since 2022, retired earlier this year.

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Gus was handled by Brittany Wilson, who has worked as a social worker with the police since 2016. Grady, who is personally owned by Deputy Chief Brian Spolar, was trained and certified as a therapy dog before joining the department.

"This is Deputy Spolar's first handler-dog therapy team, but it comes naturally as Grady has been his personal pet for several years," Gillespie said. "With a vacant position in our therapy dog program, D.C. Spolar found it to be the perfect time to bring on his community-service minded companion to the role."

According to Gillespie, there is no cost to the Village for Grady as he was already owned and obedience trained. Additionally, the therapy team program training for Grady was free as SOUL Harbour’s program is grant-funded. Soul Harbour is based in Barrington. Spolar and Grady, who went through the program together, are graduates. The pair is also a registered therapy dog team through Pet Partners, which is based in Washington. The two are tested and recertified every two years.

Police therapy dogs act as a bridge between the police department and the community. Having a friendly and approachable therapy dog at public events, schools and community outreach initiatives "can foster positive interactions and enhance trust between officers and residents," according to the Village. These dogs can also provide therapy and comfort within the department for officers.

Grady holds a Canine Good Citizen certification and also meets all program requirements set forth by the American Kennel Club.