North Wales Police recruits ‘wellbeing dog’ to help officers deal with traumatic incidents

A new four-legged recruit has joined North Wales Police to support officers through traumatic experiences.

Nansi, an 11-week-old cockapoo puppy, will be putting her best paw forward as part of a pilot scheme being run in the western area of the region.

The force said she had joined the team via the national Oskar Kilo 9 Wellbeing Programme, which aims to make dogs available to all police forces.

Wellbeing dogs have already been introduced by several police and fire services in the UK to help staff who have been involved with stressful incidents.

Sergeant Non Edwards, who is leading on the scheme for North Wales Police, said: “Police officers and staff do a demanding and sometimes dangerous job, and in many roles are frequently exposed to trauma.

“There is plenty of evidence proving the physical benefits of having a dog, however emerging research clearly shows the many ways in which dogs can provide support with mental health by creating a sense of calm, improving daily emotional and psychological stresses and helping people to deal with the impact of a traumatic event.

“A lot of work and training has been done with the Oskar Kilo 9 Wellbeing National Team to ensure we have the correct provisions in place to introduce a welfare dog in the workplace.

“We are extremely fortunate to have wonderful sponsors who have given their time, service and funding who will assist us with training and supporting Nansi throughout her career.

“We’d like to extend our thanks to Pets at Home in Bangor, Idris Morris in Llanddeiniolen, Caernarfon, trainer – Mr Geraint Strello and Cibyn Vets in Caernarfon. There will be no cost to the taxpayer.

“Nansi has already received a very warm welcome at some of our police stations and I’m very much looking forward to seeing her develop and having her as part of our neighbourhood policing team in Caernarfon and Bangor where she will regularly come out on patrols with us and form part of our community engagement events.”

The scheme has the support of Chief Constable Carl Foulkes.

He said: “We all know that policing has both a physical but also psychological impact when we are seeing and dealing with harm and trauma on a regular basis.

“Over recent years police forces around the country have recognised the value of dogs in helping officers and staff with their wellbeing.

“It is hoped by introducing Nansi to the team will result in better support for officers and staff resulting in less sickness through to early intervention and support being given.”

Mark Jones, general secretary and treasurer of the North Wales Police Federation, said: “It is incredibly important that people feel they can talk about their mental health, particularly in a job that presents people with challenging and traumatic situations such as policing.

“Nansi will be able to offer some light relief from the often difficult job officers do, and anything that makes people feel positive and gets them talking should be encouraged.”

A review will be held at the end of the 12-month pilot, but the force said Nansi will be a permanent part if the team.