Edition: January 2025
By Lindsay Bishop / Officer
Hi, I’m Rosie, the therapy dog for the Lawrence Kansas Police Department. Yep, you read that right. I’m a police K-9 but don’t get too excited. I don’t chase criminals or sniff out drugs. Nope, my job is much harder, I am here to help people survive one of the most difficult times in their lives, also known as middle school. Every day, I trot into West Middle School with much more energy than the sleepy scholars wearing pajama pants. I can’t wait for the kids to greet me and tell me how good I smell after a fresh bath. I am such an official at school the kids even started calling me “Officer Rosie”.
You wouldn’t believe how amazing the smells at middle school are. You would think I was a bloodhound tracking its prey when I pick up a scent in the piles of unwashed hoodies in the lost and found. My handler, Officer Bishop, is always telling me to “leave it” and not eat crumbs off the floor even though I am SO curious what they taste like. I just have to be patient until she drops glaze off her Munchers doughnut for me to scarf up. The breathtaking smells of middle school continue outside where I have been known to snag a discarded tube sock or boneless chicken wing, in hopes that she wouldn’t notice.
I also sit in on classroom presentations with Officer Bishop where I am the real star of the show. Forget about the police officer talking about internet safety or constitutional rights—I’m the one getting the attention. The kids always compliment me on how fluffy I am and try to get me to come sit with them during class. The girls love my big brown eyes and even ask Officer Bishop if I am wearing mascara.
I LOVE our 3-minute passing periods at school where I can get up to 30 different kids giving me pets as they scurry to their next class. They have to be quick because I can’t write any tardy slips. When I am not paw-trolling the hallways, I am often waiting for a student to come see me in Officer Bishop’s office. In between naps, I am there waiting for kids to tell me about their problems. Since I can’t talk, I don’t give much advice, but I am the BEST listener. They say I help with anxiety, but honestly, I just love belly rubs. I get so many, I’m practically a full-time massage therapist.
If you see me around don’t be shy- I love to “shake” with new people.
– Officer Rosie