Cheshire Police's first ever well-being dog is helping officers mental health
Twelve-week old Harley has started his first day on the beat
Last updated 5th Feb 2021
Cheshire Police have recruited their first ever well-being dog in an effort to boost mental health and youth engagement across the county.
Harley, who is twelve-weeks old, started his year-long training this week– and alongside this, has officially taken on his first duty in providing therapy to the police officers.
“He’s a conversation starter” said PC Jane Tetlow, the labradoodles new full-time handler.
“It’s about breaking down any barriers and getting talking and after 5-minutes with Harley people are talking.”
PC Tetlow said Harley will make a huge difference to the psychological wellbeing of police staff during a difficult shift, such as after being verbally abused or witnessing trauma.
“If he can go in while they’re having their break and just walk around and they can pet him or take him for a little walk – just that 5-minutes of engagement and stress relief will play it’s part in that trauma incident management.”
Through his training, PC Tetlow will be taking Harley to any police building she can work from so as many staff can benefit from time with him.
“I can do paperwork anywhere in the force. If I’ve got a whole day of emails and reports - I can do them from Widnes, Runcorn, Macclesfield, Chester… any control room. And those control rooms are high pressure” she said.
Last year there were 637 assaults on Cheshire’s police, and the recent surge in abuse towards frontline officers has put significant pressure on the mental and physical health of those policing throughout lockdown.
PC Tetlow said “Just sitting there, having a conversation with Harley, walking around, that’s going to release a tiny bit of that stress. I think that’s a winner for our colleagues.”