Wiltshire Police has launched an innovative new initiative to combat stress and promote mental wellbeing among its officers and staff: the OK9 Wellbeing and Trauma Support Dog Network. This programme uses specially trained dogs to provide emotional support to those facing the pressures of policing.
Policing is a demanding profession that can take a significant toll on mental health. To address this, Wiltshire Police has partnered with Oscar Kilo, the National Police Wellbeing Service, to bring the benefits of canine companionship to the force. The scheme is part of a larger national network that includes over 150 OK9 Wellbeing Dogs trained to alleviate stress and anxiety experienced by police personnel.
Wellbeing Manager Iain Pettitt expressed enthusiasm about the new initiative: “Wiltshire Police are committed to supporting the mental health of their officers and staff, and the OK9 Wellbeing & Trauma Support Dog Network is a great way to do this. Spending time with a dog is proven to lower stress and anxiety, providing light relief from the stresses of daily roles.”
He added, “The fact that the network is run by volunteers within the Force, offering their own time and dogs, also highlights the commitment our staff have to supporting each other.”
To introduce the programme, handlers and their canine partners are visiting police stations across Wiltshire in a branded OK9 dog van. These visits aim to familiarise officers with the support dogs and encourage them to book time for wellbeing sessions with the dogs.
Each dog involved in the network has passed rigorous assessments, and their handlers have completed Peer Support training to ensure they can provide effective emotional assistance during challenging times.
Research supports the positive impact of spending time with dogs, showing it significantly reduces stress and anxiety—an important benefit in the high-pressure environment of policing. The OK9 Network seeks to build resilience within Wiltshire Police, helping officers and staff manage the demands of their roles more effectively.
This new canine support team represents a significant step forward for Wiltshire Police, demonstrating their strong commitment to mental health and fostering a supportive workplace for all personnel.
Originally published by UKNIP.
