Humberside Police recruits therapy dog
Humberside Police has recruited a therapy dog called Cindy.
Humberside Police have recruited a therapy dog called Cindy.
The force says working in policing can present some tough and challenging times for their officers and staff, that’s why their Occupational Health and Wellbeing team are always on hand for support in the variety of difficult circumstances they face, whether that be physically or mentally.
The police say the team are always developing and exploring new techniques to assist the staff in achieving the best outcomes and so they have introduced Cindy the therapy dog.
After 9 years working with her handler as an Explosives, Search and Detections dog, Cindy has decided she’s not quite ready for full retirement and has returned to the Force with her handler Ian as a police volunteer.
Her owner/handler Ian, said:
“Cindy was an Explosives, Search & Detections Dog, AKA a bomb dog! Princess Cindy, as she was known on the Humberside Police Twitter account before her retirement – served for 9 years before retiring on the 23 October this year – she’s now my sofa dog.”
“As well as serving Humberside Police, Cindy has assisted at a variety of events including assisting the Police Service in Northern Ireland, attending the Commonwealth Games in Scotland and Hull City of Culture in 2017. She has also assisted in overseeing visits from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Anne and of course, Her Majesty the Queen”.
Louise Robinson, Senior Psychotherapist, said:
“Animal Assisted Therapy can be used for rehabilitation, emotional comfort and regulation. Research indicates that use of a therapy dog in the right circumstances has been found to lower blood pressure and to facilitate in releasing endorphins. Participants in Animal Assisted Therapy reported decreased feelings of isolation, alienation and other improvements in their mental health and wellbeing.”