Today, we've published the paper - which you can read here
Garry Botterill, the Oscar Kilo lead for the OK9 wellbeing and trauma support dog programme said;
Since OK9 Wellbeing and Trauma Support Dogs were first introduced in 2021, the aim was always to do as much as possible to help colleagues in policing by using the extraordinary power of specially assessed dogs. Typically, the dogs and their Peer Support trained handlers, visit stations and departments and bring welcome respite from the often difficult, stressful and sometimes traumatic work. As the number of wellbeing dogs has grown, so too has the role that they, and their dedicated handlers play every day, to try to keep officers mentally well.
We were very excited to help with the valuable research by Dr Miller and we provided OK9 wellbeing dogs together with Peer Support trained handlers at trauma resilience training sessions to help students with the subject matter discussed. The findings from this paper corroborate our own research and experiences in more general terms, but in the training room, it is easy to see the benefits of a canine presence which assists ‘open minded thinking, logic and even self-compassion - which renders us more receptive to learning'.
We look forward to working closely with Dr Miller and her team with future trauma resilience training using OK9 dogs to help with engagement, communication, and the effective processing of information. They will always also be on hand for the usual strokes and cuddles that generate smiles and feelings of wellbeing and we are so grateful that this fascinating research acknowledges the difference our OK9 dogs can make!
Dr Jess Miller, author of the research said;
“Asking 'why?’ is sometimes more important in policing than simple facts. This is not only the case for the nature of the job, but also for how we respond to our job. Several years of research has shown us how the policing mind adapts to the work. Here, we explore how and why one line of support for officers- canines- is so successful.
This inquisitive paper provides us with some basic facts which explain why it is that dogs can kick start body stress regulation, spark peer engagement, open up our language centres in our brain and increase our receptivity to the idea of looking after ourselves. Findings provide a robust explanation for how canines may be well suited for regulating, connecting and engaging disparate individuals in a training environment, allowing engagement with challenging material and concepts.
Impact on advocacy for policing as an institution is worth exploring in further research, as is how to support dog handlers with low external recognition for what they do. We welcome more structured canine support in police training environments and very much look forward to incorporating more handlers and their hounds into trauma resilience training over the coming years.”