Jim Gates showed a little police pride last week after he and some neighbors surprised officers and Pawfficer Howie with a thank-you gift.
They gave them a plaque to show appreciation for Sgt. Traycee Love’s appearance with the police pup at a September block party on the 900 block of North Marion Street.
“We have a great relationship with them,” Gates said.
With notice, officers will visit a block party and offer services such as signing kids up for bike permits and talking about helmet safety. They’ll hobnob with adults, too.
At the Marion Street party, Gates said Pawfficer Howie – Oak Park’s loveable community service dog – made himself at home, even hopping up on a lawn chair to regally preside over the partying.
Pawfficer Howie, a rescue who is believed to be a Laborador mix with traced of St. John’s Water Dog – is trained to use a special therapy with people in which he applies pressure to those petting him. That pressure is said to increase endorphin levels and to release dopamine and serotonin to help relax people and stabilize their moods.
“It was really good experience,” Gates said.
