Mayors Note May

K9 Onyx  - Tualatin’s Therapy and Wellness Dog

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and we thought some introductions to Onyx, our first therapy dog, were in order. Since April 2023, City of Tualatin police officers, employees, and community members have had the support of K9 Onyx to enhance their mental health and emotional well-being. In addition to being trained for victim support and crisis response, Onyx also enjoys engaging in activities such as playing, sharing meals, going for walks, and simply providing companionship. These seemingly small interactions have been shown to positively impact mental health, with research indicating that even petting a dog can reduce stress levels. 

K9 Onyx is in a unique position to embody the kind of community policing that can improve trust and build connections between residents and law enforcement. Comfort dogs are specially trained to not only provide comfort, but also to be stable in unusual experiences such as riding in cruisers, large yelling crowds, and tense situations. They play a therapeutic role and can de-escalate stressful situations while providing unconditional love and support to people on some of their hardest days. 

Please feel free to stop by the police department and catch his friendly face peering over the counter and keep an eye out for him at one of the many community events he attends. You might even catch an appearance of our 4-legged friend at one of the schools or care facilities in Tualatin.