We are delighted to share this new children's book 'Darcy visits the allotment', which has been written to help staff in the emergency services and their families.
The beautiful illustrations tell the story of Darcy as she talks to her friends on the allotment about the importance of listening and supporting each other.
Darcy is one of our Oscar Kilo OK9 dogs, who with their handlers provide support to staff in all three emergency services, helping them to relax and open up about how they’re feeling. Working for a blue light service can be incredibly challenging, but there is something deeply comforting about the unconditional love of a four legged friend. Their handlers are trained to listen and to enable difficult conversations, signposting staff to further support if required.
The story was written by Darcy’s handler, PC Cathy Veale, a member of the Wellbeing team in Devon & Cornwall Police.
Cathy said:
“I wanted to write something that would help the families of emergency service staff and Darcy was the obvious inspiration. She’s so kind and people love talking to her, so I told the story of her day at the allotment, meeting friends and checking that they are ok. Connecting with nature, animals and each other is a great way to improve mental health and I hope the book gets people talking about how to deal with things when they don’t feel great.”
“My daughter Kirsty created the illustrations. I might be slightly biased, but I think they’re absolutely fabulous and really capture the spirit of the book!”
Garry Botterill, Oscar Kilo OK9 wellbeing and trauma support dogs lead said:
“This book beautifully portrays the values of Oscar Kilo peer support. Our OK9 wellbeing dogs help us reach out to our colleagues with the message, ‘we see you; we will listen, and we will support you’”
Copies of 'Darcy visits the allotment' are being distributed through our OK9 dog handlers over the summer. They will be gifted to families and children that need a little extra support and used at family events to increase awareness of our OK9 wellbeing and trauma support dogs and the dedicated peer support trained handlers who volunteer to help colleagues.
We are currently working on an e-book version which will be available on our website in the autumn.
The book was launched at a special event at 'the allotment' where Darcy hangs out. Members of the emergency services and their families were invited to listen to a special story telling session and to meet Darcy and the other animal ‘stars’ of the book.
You can see more about the launch event, and listen to interviews with Cathy, Garry and others below:
Find out more about this book, our other book Red Robber Raid and access more of our resources for children below.