West Sussex's fire service welcomes first two wellbeing dogs
They'll be used to help crew and staff going through stressful situations
Last updated 28th Sep 2023
West Sussex Fire and Rescue service has welcomed two new, fluffy recruits - to help improve the wellbeing of their staff.
Audrey the three-year-old Golder Retriever and Jasper eight-month-old Springer Spaniel are the first wellbeing dogs to be recruited into the organisation.
The pair will visit teams at stations across the county to offer their support to those who have attended difficult incidents, or who are going through stressful situations.
Research has shown that when humans and dogs spend time together, they share oxytocin - a hormone that creates affection, trust, and a sense of security. Their calming influence naturally reduces stress and anxiety.
Speaking about the new recruits, chief fire officer Sabrina Cohen-Hatton said:
"I am delighted to welcome Audrey and Jasper into the service and have them officially become part of our fire family.
“Their handlers are operational members of staff that have experienced the highs and lows of being a first responder, as well as being mental health first aiders.
"This breadth of experience means that between the dogs and their handlers, we can provide first-class wellbeing support for those that may be experiencing stress or workplace, whether that be at work or in their personal lives.
“Whilst we already have a number of wellbeing support pathways in place, the unique experience of having a dog in the workplace can provide light relief from the struggles that our staff may be facing, and naturally creates discussions around mental health.
"We know that proactively seeking support can be daunting, so this is a great alternative for those who may feel uncomfortable in doing so.”
Jasper’s handler, Station Manager Alistair Green said:
"We have spent a lot of time slowly introducing the dogs to the fire service – they have been on stations getting used to the sounds, sights and smells of the environment that they will be working in, and have even attended open days.
"Jordan (Audrey’s handler) and I have raised the dogs since they were puppies. We have completed thorough training programmes to ensure that the dogs’ safety is paramount, and that their wellbeing is looked after too."