'That Was Our Boy': New Lenox Fire's New Comfort Dog A Success Story For Tinley Nonprofit

NEW LENOX, IL — A Tinley Park nonprofit is watching with pride as another of its specially trained dogs steps into his new role serving the public.

Golden retriever Willie was sworn in last month as the New Lenox Fire Protection District's newest K9 Facility Service Comfort Dog. Willie made his way to the district through Tinley-based Healing Hearts Comfort Dogs, a nonprofit that raises and trains working dogs to interact with individuals who are experiencing trauma, stress, and physical and emotional uncertainty in their lives.

"That was our boy," said Founder and President Kim Laidlaw. "We love that dog."

With his swearing in at an August New Lenox Fire Protection District Board of Trustees meeting, Willie became the latest Healing Hearts dog to take on a job. He'll serve as a source of emotional support and comfort for both first responders and the community members served by the fire district. As the first K9 to hold this position in the district, Willie’s gentle and approachable demeanor will provide comfort during times of stress, trauma and recovery.

"He loves to work, engage with people," Laidlaw told Patch. "He's happy to please the crowd. He loves people and children, especially."

Laidlaw oversaw Willie's upbringing and training within the organization, before deciding to send him off to work with the fire district.

He began training with his puppy raiser at 2 months old until he was recently paired with Fire and Life Safety Educator Marisa Tomich, his NLFPD handler.

His training has included working in all types of environments—from schools to 911 dispatch centers, providing emotional support, and interacting with a wide variety of people, making him a true asset to the team.

He is a higher energy dog, she said, so they were looking for a role where he'd be challenged, and have a lot of things to do.

"Marisa and the New Lenox Fire Protection District popped up, and we said, 'we think this is the place for him,'" Laidlaw said.

Tomich trained with Willie for two months, she added, spending several weekends with him, too, "to see if it would be a good for their family life."

It all just clicked, Laidlaw said.

"It's a constantly changing environment for him," Laidlaw said, of the fire district role.

His intelligence, strong sense of empathy—and well, his good looks—played a big part in making it a good fit.

"He's one handsome-looking dog," Laidlaw said. "Very striking. Just his appearance strikes up a conversation."

Willie was also photographed by Kelli Adams-Kirkpatrick, to star in a coffee table book called "Hounds that Help." Actually, Laidlaw said, four Healing Hearts dogs are featured in that book.

“We are beyond excited to welcome Willie into our NLFPD family,” said Fire Chief Adam Riegel. “The emotional toll that first responders often face can be significant, and having a dedicated comfort dog like Willie will make a world of difference. We believe his presence will enhance the mental health and well-being of our team, as well as the residents we serve.”

Willie’s presence will also extend beyond the fire stations. He and Tomich will attend community events, presentations in schools and organizations, and provide support during critical emergency responses, making him a familiar and trusted presence within New Lenox. Willie was sponsored by the Central Dispatch Center of Orland Park Fire, before going on to his role with the New Lenox fire district.

“We’re incredibly proud of Willie and look forward to seeing the positive impact he will have on our fire personnel and the residents of New Lenox,” said NLFPD Trustee President Joe Levey. “This program is a testament to our commitment to fostering mental well-being and providing holistic support to our first responders.”

Willie will be the third K9 to work for the fire district. Last year, Bo, a bloodhound, was sworn in as a Search and Rescue (SAR) K9. In 2012, Red, also a SAR K9, was sworn in with the district and worked until he retired several years later.

For Healing Hearts—somewhat of a fledgling organization at just three years running—Willie's training landing him this gig is proof of success.

"We're constantly evaluating the dogs," Laidlaw said, of the training process. "Obedience, temperament—to see where a dog would best be suited. It's a constant evaluation."

From months old, Healing Hearts dogs are exposed to different environments—libraries, doctor's offices, grocery stores—to mimic noises and stimuli.

Each dog's needs are different, based on their temperaments and strengths, and they're carefully placed to maximize their potential.

In Bolingbrook, golden retriever Goldie found her match at Bolingbrook High School. They'd first tried a calmer, quieter school, but that didn't seem quite right for her, Laidlaw said.

"With 3,000 students, she's constantly on the move," Laidlaw said. "That's what's best for her."

"Students and staff have shared that Goldie’s presence and personality have been a bright spot in their days, and they look forward to interacting with her on a regular basis," the Healing Hearts website reads. "Most importantly, she helps the entire school community in her daily work and companionship by providing an additional level of support."

The organization aims to rigorously train its dogs and prepare them for any challenge.

"We're really trying to match them (with their job)," Laidlaw said. "It's our goal."

Healing Hearts is volunteer-based, and many working there first started in other service dog organizations. Many of the dogs they first worked with had fallen short of success as service dogs, she said.

"We started using dogs that didn't make it as service dogs," Laidlaw said. "We started placing them as facility service dogs, and that took off like gangbusters."

They've also helped individual dog owners train their own animals to become therapy dogs, Laidlaw said.

We believe that every individual, regardless of their circumstances, should have access to the physical, emotional, and psychological benefits that our dogs can provide. Whether it’s assisting those with disabilities, providing comfort to those dealing with trauma, or simply bringing joy and companionship to those who need it most, our dogs are capable of making a positive impact in countless ways.

Our commitment to our mission is evident in every aspect of our organization, from the careful selection of our dogs and the rigorous training they receive, to the compassionate care they receive throughout their lives. We believe that by providing well-trained and well-cared-for dogs to those in need, we are able to make a tangible and lasting difference in the lives of individuals and communities.

— Healing Hearts Comfort Dogs

In the year 2024, Healing Hearts had six puppies begin their facility dog training, and six dogs graduate into a working facility dog career. Also, 21 therapy dog teams were certified and the organization's therapy/comfort dogs completed 463 therapy visits, totaling 802 hours.

Fifteen names—ranging from dentist offices, police departments, social workers and schools—are on the waitlist for a Healing Hearts dog, Laidlaw said.

As a nonprofit, Healing Hearts is entirely donation-based. Donations can be any amount, but a donation of $2,000 gives the donor the chance to name the puppy, with the funds also paying for the cost of the dog, medical needs, and supplies for that puppy.

But what they need most, Laidlaw said, is puppy raisers. Willie’s puppy raisers were Pam and Wayne Drust.

"Our biggest need is foster puppy raisers to help us raise and train these pups so we can meet the demand of those requesting dogs," she said.

Find out more about how to become a (very lucky) puppy raiser on the Healing Hearts website.