Tucker the dog promoted to major in Millcreek police department
Township supervisors Dan Ouellet, left, and Jim Bock, right, congratulate Tucker’s handlers on his promotion. Police Chief Mook is second from right.
Millcreek Township Police Department’s service dog now outranks his handlers.
The two-year-old golden retriever, named Tucker, was promoted to the rank of major by township supervisors on Monday.
Tucker has been extremely well received both within and outside the department since he began his duties this past fall, police Chief Carter Mook said in recommending the promotion.
“Tucker has become so popular with his work in the community that on occasion, people with no law enforcement need simply stop at the police station to say hello to the dog,” Mook said.
Police service dogs traditionally rank above their handlers, Mook said. Tucker now outranks everyone but Mook in the 65-officer police department.
Praise for Tucker
“I’m so proud of the job Tucker has done,” township Supervisor Kim Clear said. “Every time I go into the police department and get to see Tucker, he is with one of our officers, at their feet or following them around. It’s been so great to see the reaction of our officers as they come back from something pretty difficult, from a call that they have been on or from being on the road.”
“He certainly brings a lot of positivity when making his rounds, not only in the police department but throughout the township building,” board of supervisors Chairman Dan Ouellet said.
Tucker joined the department in August. A certified post-traumatic stress disorder service dog, he was donated to the department by the Erie Humane Society.
The dog is available to aid members of the community experiencing trauma as well as the department’s officers. He’s also visiting schools and attending public events, including fundraisers for Second Harvest Food Bank and the Erie Humane Society.
“He’s gotten a lot of love, too,” said Millcreek Patrolman Ben Barstow, who is one of Tucker’s handlers. “People want to pet him and have their picture taken with him.”
Contact Valerie Myers at [email protected].
Source link https://www.goerie.com/story/news/local/2025/01/07/service-dog-ptsd-tucker-humane-society-therapy-millcreek-township-erie/77482046007/
