Countdown to 2025 #4 - Flo the Therapy Dog

Village Clerk Lori Romine swears in “Pawfficer” Flo at a Village Board Meeting in November 2024.

The Village of Antioch Police Department welcomed its newest (and furriest) recruit in October thanks to a generous donation from the Antioch Lion’s Club.

Flo is a trained service dog from SIT (Supporting Independence through Teamwork) Service Dogs in southern Illinois and was sworn in at the Nov. 13 Village Board meeting. Police Chief Geoff Guttschow solicited the help of the Lion’s Club after seeing the positive impacts comfort dogs are having in police departments across the country. While traditional police dogs focus on law enforcement, comfort dogs focus is on recovery and wellbeing.

Dogs like Flo can also help prevent burnout and improve overall officer morale. She also serves as a bridge between the department and the community and is made available to victims and witnesses who have been exposed to trauma to create a less intimidating environment.