Press
Williamson County Sheriff’s Office pioneers new therapy dog program in schools
Sep 6, 2024
WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Tenn. (Williamson Herald) —
The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office recently announced its pivotal role in the introduction of the “Beyond Ordinary Learning Opportunities (BOLO) Act,” a groundbreaking new law passed by the Tennessee General Assembly. This legislation establishes a pilot program that will place therapy dogs in five public schools across the state during the 2024-25 school year.
The initiative traces its origins to the positive results observed within Williamson County Schools, where Bolo, a 2-year-old Lagotto Romagnolo, has been successfully integrated as a therapy dog by his handler, Williamson County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Jacob Morley.
This initiative was championed by state Rep. Gino Bulso, who invited Morley to speak before the Education K-12 subcommittee at the State Capitol in February.
“I was honored to speak in support of this bill, which I believe will have far-reaching benefits for students across Tennessee,” said Morley. “The Sheriff’s Office took a chance on the idea of an SRO having a therapy dog to visit schools, and it has profoundly impacted me as a person. Seeing the excitement on students’ and staff members’ faces has reinforced the importance of this work. I often tell people that I have the best job in the Sheriff’s Office.”
The implementation of Bolo in schools was made possible by the generous donation from Nashville K-9 and its CEO, Ali Hemyari, who played a significant role in supporting the program.
“We would wish to thank Williamson County Schools for allowing this innovative approach, which would not have been possible without their collaboration,” a spokesperson for the WCSO said.
The BOLO Act reflects the commitment of the Tennessee General Assembly and the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office to enhancing the educational environment for students statewide. The pilot program is expected to provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of therapy dogs in schools, with the potential for expansion in the future.