The Lawrenceville Police Department has unveiled a first for Gwinnett County: K9 Rowan, a 7-month-old Goldendoodle, is joining the force as a Community Wellness Dog. This initiative is a bold step to improve mental health support for first responders and deepen connections between police and the community.
What’s Happening: K9 Rowan, nicknamed “Ro,” is a trained therapy dog specializing in emotional support. Whether it’s comforting individuals in crisis, visiting schools, or lightening the mood at community events, Rowan is here to bring calm and connection.
Why It Matters: Police Chief John Mullin says Rowan is part of a bigger mission. “We’re excited to introduce K9 Rowan as part of our dedicated mission of building a safer Lawrenceville through community engagement and professional police services,” Mullin said.
Who Made it Happen: The program is a collaboration with Tails of Hope and Coco’s Cupboard, Inc., organizations dedicated to animal-assisted care. Their support turned this vision into reality.
What’s Next: Rowan’s calendar is already filling up with appearances at community events and school visits. Residents can look forward to meeting the new four-legged team member at upcoming gatherings.
Take Action: Want to learn more or schedule a visit with Rowan? Reach out to Officer Cole, Rowan’s handler, at QCole@LawrencevillePD.com.
B.T. Clark
B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and the Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He has 25 years of experience in journalism and served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta for 15 years and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc. for 8 years. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is a Georgia native and a fifth-generation Georgian.
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