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Gilroy Police therapy dog 'Maui' credited with calming students, supporting victim interviews; pilot costs modest so far
Summary
Six months after deployment, Gilroy PD’s therapy dog Maui has been used at schools, crime-victim interviews and community events. The department reported 23 public events, nine documented cortisol-alert responses and roughly $4,383 in operating costs over six months.
The Gilroy Police Department on Aug. 4 presented a six‑month update on its therapy-dog pilot program, highlighting use at schools, interviews with crime victims and community events and reporting modest first‑half operating costs.
Captain Luke Powell said Maui, the department’s therapy canine, was adopted from a shelter and trained through Operation Freedom Paws. Since early 2025, Maui has regularly visited Gilroy Unified School District campuses, attended 23 public events including Read Across America and the Garlic Festival, and supported interviews where trauma-informed presence was needed. The presentation said Maui has been present at six interviews involving victims of violent crime, two multi‑disciplinary interviews, and three school‑based interviews. Maui has nine documented “cortisol alerts” — incidents where Maui was brought in for elevated stress and provided in‑person comfort.
Powell reported the program’s first six‑month cost at $4,383, covering food, supplies, veterinary services and the assigned handler’s monthly canine pay; startup items such as a crate and leashes were one‑time expenses. Education and outreach have generated an active social-media following, Powell said, which staff uses to highlight program work and events.
Public commenters and councilmembers praised the program as a community‑policing and wellness tool; Leadership Gilroy and others urged council to permanently approve Maui and add a second therapy dog (Bailey) to expand coverage. No formal council vote to permanently authorize Maui or a second dog appears on the Aug. 4 record; the agenda item was presented as a six‑month update and council expressed support.
Staff said the program so far has relied on the police department’s existing canine budget and would return with any future requests for expanded funding or permanent program changes.
