Gus, a 4-year-old therapy dog, is joining the Buffalo Grove Police Department. | Provided Photo

The Buffalo Grove Police Department announced they are adding a therapy dog to work alongside their department’s social worker.

The Village of Buffalo Grove said in a social media post on Wednesday that they were welcoming Gus to the Buffalo Grove Police Department.

Gus is a four-year-old white Labrador Retriever Standard Poodle mix.

Gus will work with the police department’s social worker Brittany Wilson, the village said.

The two will make positive connections in the community by helping with victims’ advocacy, mental health and trauma response.

Gus will also be a valuable resource to first responders who may be dealing with job-related stress and will offer additional support to members of the department in their overall wellness, the village said.

Gus is a graduate of Paws & Stripes College, a comfort and therapy dog obedience program.

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The program is run through the Brevard County, Florida Sheriff’s Office and is free of charge to police departments.

The program represents a second chance for both the dogs, who are all shelter rescues, and carefully selected and trained county jail inmates, who serve as trainers.

The Highland Park Police Department also recently received a dog through the Paws & Stripes College.

Highland Park Chief of Police Lou Jogmen said their new highly-trained walker hound, Vinny Duke, has already been on a couple of calls and is living at the police station.

Vinny Duke will primarily focus on situations where he can reduce stress and fear in individuals who have been victims of a crime or other emergency situation.