[00:00:03]
“SHE DOESN’T WORK IN A PATROL CAR, SHE WORKS IN THE OFFICE WITH ME." "SO I’M CURRENTLY A DETECTIVE WITH THE DEPARTMENT AND I’M ASSIGNED TO OUR CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN’S UNIT.
WITH THESE KIDS THAT WE WORK WITH, IF THEY COME INTO THESE ADVOCACY CENTERS, IT’S A SCARY EXPERIENCE FOR THEM, THEY’RE HAVING TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING THAT’S DIFFICULT AND THEY’RE HAVING TO TALK WITH ADULTS THEY DON’T KNOW IN AN ENVIRONMENT THEY’RE NOT FAMILIAR WITH, WHAT IF WE COULD HAVE AN ICE BREAKER WITH A DOG.” LYNNE JUMPED INTO HER ROLE WITH ALL 4 PAWS.
“SHE GOT TO SEE A VICTIM AFTER A FORENSIC INTERVIEW AND WENT IN TO MEET WITH HER AND THE QUOTE THAT SHE SHARED WITH ME AND JUST KIND OF BROUGHT A BIG SMILE TO MY FACE, SHE SAID THIS IS THE BEST DOG THAT I’VE EVER SEEN.
AND SO THAT WAS PRETTY COOL. SHE IS VERY RESPONSIVE TO THOSE WHO ARE GOING THROUGH A DIFFICULT TIME AND THAT’S ALSO A TESTAMENT TO THE PUPPIES BEHIND BARS PROGRAM.” THAT PROGRAM BREEDS AND TRAINS THE DOGS SPECIFICALLY FOR THESE SERVICE ROLES.
THE PRIMARY TRAINERS ARE THOSE WHO ARE INCARCERATED.
ONCE TRAINED, THE PROGRAM DONATES THE DOGS TO VETERANS, LAW ENFORCEMENT OR FIRE DEPARTMENTS.
“THEY OPERATE SOLELY ON DONATIONS. WHEN I GOT THE CALL THAT OUR DEPARTMENT WAS APPROVED, WE WERE ABSOLUTELY ECSTATIC, AND SHE’S BEEN A GREAT FIT. WE’RE VERY GLAD THAT IT’S WORKED OUT, WE’RE VERY GRATEFUL THAT SHE WAS PROVIDED TO US." LYNNE IS A FULLY TRAINED SERVICE DOG, BUT IS CLASSIFIED AS A POLICE FACILITY DOG BECAUSE OF HER JOB WITH THE FRISCO PD.
“I THINK THEY REALIZED HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR US AS A UNIT TO HAVE THE MENTAL HEALTH BENEFIT WHEN WE ARE REALISTICALLY WORKING CASES THAT AREN’T A WHOLE LOT OF FUN TO TALK ABOUT.
AND THEY ALSO REALIZED THAT THIS IS A HUGE BENEFIT TO PEOPLE WHO ARE DEALING WITH SOMETHING THAT IS VERY TOUGH.” SHE IS ALSO AVAILABLE TO CHEER UP STAFF FOLLOWING DIFFICULT CASES OR SIMPLY LIGHTEN THE MOOD AT THE DEPARTMENT.
“THIS HAS BEEN A HUGE BENEFIT FOR ME. I’M SOMEONE WHO IS VERY TYPE A, GO GO GO, SHE HAS HELPED SLOW ME DOWN A LITTLE BIT AND HAS HELPED WITH JUST PATIENCE AND JUST HER PRESENCE IS VERY CALMING." "IT’S BEEN A REALLY FUN RIDE HAVING HER AT THE OFFICE WITH EVERYBODY ELSE.”
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.