Monday 13 June 2022 06:25 PM Stressed cops in Kent receive mental health support from force's 'wellbeing ... trends now
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Police officers across Kent are being consoled by a dedicated wellbeing and trauma support dog after dealing with distressing incidents in a bid to improve mental health for staff.
Springer Spaniel Honey has been visiting stations in the Essex area to provide a few minutes of relief to those in need, such as front-line officers who have been on the scene of traumatic incidents or 999 call handlers who may take upsetting calls.
The calming canine belongs to a community policing volunteer and was provided to Kent Police through the national Oscar Kilo 9 network (OK9), which aims to introduce wellbeing dogs in stations throughout the country.
Springer Spaniel Honey (pictured) has been visiting stations in the Essex area to provide a few minutes of relief to those in need. Other volunteer therapy dogs are also used to tackle staff mental health and to support vulnerable people and children
The project began with a trial across a handful of forces which saw dogs introduced into the workplace to provide a 'calming presence'.
PC Martyn Tulk, who leads the Community
