Mattis K. Nine, the first law enforcement therapy dog in the state of Ohio, is celebrating a birthday.
Mattis, who turned two this month, has become quite the celebrity around town ever since he was sworn in as a Franklin County Deputy Sheriff K9 in 2017.
Raising Cane’s in Hilliard hosted a birthday party for Mattis and his friends Monday. Several of his fans came out to wish him a happy birthday and some even brought gifts.
“In the short two years that we've had him at the Sheriff's Office, the amount of lives that he's brought together and touched has been amazing,” Mattis’ handler, Deputy Sheriff Darrah Metz, said. “And the fact that we have three other dogs here that are part of our unit because of the work we started with him is just a blessing.”
K9 Mattis and the county’s three other therapy dogs -- Stark, Kit and Woody -- are trained to help victims who’ve experienced mental, physical or psychological trauma.
“We’re just happy to be here. We’re so appreciative of the community wrapping their arms around this program and we’re gonna have it here for years to come,” Deputy Metz said.
