Marysville Police Officer Amy Findley was at the council meeting Monday night to introduce the group to the city’s new therapy dog, Mercy. The Labrador retriever was born in March and has been living with Findley’s family undergoing training. Findley said the dog will undergo more extensive training once she turns 1. The dog’s mission is to calm individuals in distress and to deescalate difficult situations. A School Resource Officer assigned to the Marysville Early College High School, Findley said the dog has already been useful, helping students overwhelmed with the beginning of school. Officials stressed this is not a replacement for the recently deceased police K-9 officer, Bear, noting Mercy has a very different job. Above, Deputy Chief Tony Brooks, left, tells council about Findley, who has been with the department for almost 20 years, as Mercy looks on.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Mac Cordell)