First Department Comfort Dog For Lockport Township Fire District

LOCKPORT, IL — Lockport Township Fire Protection District recently introduced its first department comfort dog, Bowie. The 8-year-old border collie is certified through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, Bowie's owner Lieutenant Courtney Foster said.

Foster, who has worked for the district for 15 years and serves as the public education director, said that Bowie is her personal dog.

"I trained him as a pet, and he's a really gentle soul," Foster said. "He was really easy to work with … he's been around kids his whole life, and he's super social."

Foster said Bowie will be used as a comfort dog in case members have had a traumatic event or a bad call.

"The dog is kind of a good icebreaker," Foster said, adding that Bowie is very intuitive in knowing what each person needs.

In addition to helping the Lockport firefighters, Bowie will also represent the district at various public education and fire prevention events for kids.

You can head out to the fire district's open house on Saturday at fire station 6, 19623 W. Renwick Road. In addition to demonstrations, a bounce house, a kids' firefighter obstacle course, guests will also have the chance to meet Bowie and the firefighters.

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