South Wales Police Federation members have spoken about the positive impact the newly-launched wellbeing dog programme is already having.
The Oscar Kilo 9 scheme, which went live on 1 October, brings together nearly 30 trained volunteers and their dogs to offer emotional and wellbeing support to officers and staff.
It is part of the national police wellbeing programme which aims to boost morale, reduce stress, and create safe spaces.
Each handler and their dog have undergone behavioural assessments and specialist training delivered by the Dogs Trust, as well as a peer support course focusing on wellbeing and mental health.
Chief Inspector Scott Threadgold, from specialist operations, overseas the South Wales Police dog portfolio.
He spoke about the scheme for World Mental Health Day, which takes place today (Friday 10 October).
“We started delivering the programme on 1 October after recruiting and training nearly 30 volunteers across the Force,” he said.
“These are officers and staff who give up their time voluntarily to bring their dogs into workplaces and events, providing comfort, motivation and emotional support wherever it’s needed.”
He added: “It’s completely Free to the force because it’s delivered by volunteers, and it’s already proving incredibly popular.”
In the first nine days, the team had already attended five events, including the Baby Loss Peer Support Group event to mark Baby Loss Awareness Week.
Wellbeing dogs
A person who attended the event said: “The event was extremely emotional, and the wellbeing dogs played a massive part in supporting those in attendance.
“Many people at the event spoke highly of the support offered and that it was well needed across the force.”
A further 20 visits are planned throughout October.
Scott said the response from officers and staff has been overwhelmingly positive.
“The feedback has been absolutely fantastic,” said Scott. “People are genuinely uplifted when the dogs visit.
“It helps create a calmer, more connected environment, and you can see the difference it makes straight away.”
He added: “By the end of the year we hope to have the second largest Oscar Kilo 9 cohort across the UK.
Networks
“It’s a real achievement and shows just how much appetite there is across our force for this kind of wellbeing support.”
The demand didn’t appear overnight.
“Over the last 12 months, we were receiving requests on a daily basis from staff and networks asking for dedicated wellbeing dogs,” he said.
“So the scheme has been a direct response to what people have told us they want and need.”
Having introduced a similar scheme in the private sector before joining policing in 2021, Scott has seen first-hand how wellbeing dogs can improve workplace culture.
“We saw a real reduction in sickness rates and an increase in staff motivation,” he said. “But most importantly, it helps to create a psychologically safe space where people feel comfortable to open up and talk.”
READ MORE: Force comes together for baby loss and awareness event.