CPD K9 Officer Lilly Back on Duty Soon

The Crete PD therapy canine, Lilly, is recovering well and expected to be back on duty soon.

“Lilly is healing great! Her surgical incision has healed, and she is showing all positive signs with rehabilitating her leg. We are still on exercise restrictions, so we won’t be running around for a few more weeks,” a post on the Crete Police Department Facebook page said Monday.

Lilly came to Crete via the Florida ‘Paws and Stripes’ program back in September.

“Myself and Officer Taylor went down to Florida and trained with Lilly, and brought her back here. She is trained in child victim interviews, to be involved in community events, she’ll be part of our recruiting team and community policing team.” Crete PD Sgt. Konvalinka said.

Back in Crete, Lilly partnered up full-time with Sgt. Konvalinka and went out in the community to meet people at Crete Library and Crete Park District. She also participated in the Crete Clean-Up Day.

Lilly was sworn in as a Crete PD K9 Officer earlier this month. She’s since been busy meeting the community.

“She’s still a puppy and still getting used to big groups, so we’re doing a little bit at a time. But everyone loves her,” Sgt. Konvalinka said.

However, being a Sunshine State native, and having never experienced colder temperatures before, Lilly wasn’t quite prepared for the Illinois climate.

“She was playing and slipped, and she broke a hind leg, which required surgery to repair. She was discharged from the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital and is resting comfortably at home. Lilly’s rehabilitation period is expected to be 8 weeks,” Sgt. Konvalinka said in a Facebook post on October 23rd.

A little over three weeks later, Sgt. Konvalinka is very optimistic about Lilly’s recovery.

“Lilly has been coming to work on light duty since her surgery, and everyone has been great in helping care for her. Needless to say, she is a pretty spoiled girl around here,” he added.