Sterling Police Invite Public to Celebrate Comfort Dog Millie’s Birthday

The Sterling Police Department is inviting the public to celebrate Millie, the department’s comfort dog, with a birthday party at PetSmart, 3210 E. Lynn Boulevard in Sterling. The event runs Wednesday, Feb. 25, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., and community members are encouraged to stop by with well-socialized dogs to meet Millie and learn about her work.

Millie is a golden retriever born on Feb. 25, 2024, in Menasha, Wisconsin, and she joined the Sterling Police Department on April 19, 2024. Named in honor of Sterling’s steel mill history, Millie serves as the department’s comfort dog, fostering relationships across the community and supporting youth and abuse victims through visits to schools, local businesses, nursing homes, hospice centers and advocacy settings such as April House in Morrison.

Organizers say complimentary dog treats will be available for canine guests and cupcakes and punch for human attendees. For more information or to arrange future visits, contact Community Officer Mary Toth at 815-632-6613 or email mtoth@sterling-il.gov. The Sterling Police Department office can be reached at 815-632-6621 at 212 Third Avenue, Sterling.

Millie’s role extends beyond meet-and-greets; the comfort dog helps reduce stress for residents and provides a calming presence during difficult interviews and medical or legal processes. Mary Toth, Millie’s handler, describes the ongoing training that helps Millie perform in those settings. “She's learning to stay for longer periods of time, which can sometimes be a problem because she's attached to me at the hip,” Toth said. “She's also learning to leave and drop items and work on walking past treats and toys without being tempted.” Toth added a personal note about Millie’s temperament. “She's a great dog and she loves people so much and wants to be everyone's best friend.”

Toth also framed Millie’s public-facing work as part of broader community outreach. “Millie's the star of the show and I'm just the background actor,” Toth said jokingly. “My job is to make sure that we're facilitating these relationships in the community. So, I'm constantly talking to people, setting appointments and working on community events. I do a lot of community service and public relations stuff that people don't see when we're out and about.”

The event offers Logan County residents a low-barrier opportunity to connect with a municipal mental health resource and to learn how comfort animals are integrated into public safety and victim support. Millie and Toth are also preparing to support the Sterling Police Department’s Run for the Badge 5K on Saturday, May 10 at 9:00 a.m., and organizers say signups and event details will be posted on the department’s Facebook page.

Attending the birthday party gives families, seniors, and service providers a chance to meet Millie in a relaxed setting, ask about scheduling visits for schools or care facilities, and see firsthand how a comfort dog can support community resilience and trauma-informed care.