Immediately, Nationwide Canine Day, is a doggone excellent day to share about a few of our groups that work with canine. These well-trained Ok-9s work alongside our staff to assist them and assist get the job finished.

EMS Remedy Canine  

In February 2023, Emergency Medical Providers (EMS) established a Remedy Canine Program to assist with psychological well being resiliency. This system, created by profession medic Taylor Jones (pictured above), has grown to incorporate 13 canine that go to EMS personnel and native hospital employees. Operating this system entails making a schedule of resiliency shifts, constructing relationships with the canine’ house owners, and requesting remedy canine visits after high-stress response calls.  

Police K9 Unit

Within the Virginia Seashore Police Division, canine and handlers within the Ok-9 unit assist patrol officers and reply to essential incidents, together with burglaries, lacking individuals, and any case with a request to trace native suspects, articles or proof. On their group of 14 patrol canine handlers, 5 Ok-9s and handlers are cross-trained in explosives, three in narcotics, and three deploy on all SWAT group calls.  

Police Consolation Canine

Consolation canine serve a significant position in bettering officer well-being by serving to cut back the long-term results of trauma and stress. In 2021, an English Labrador named Geo (“Gigi”) and a golden retriever named Simba had been sworn in as regulation enforcement officers, making them official members of the division. Their handlers are two grasp cops who additionally function consolation canine facilitators.

We’re lucky to have these furry associates who play an essential position in serving our workforce and the neighborhood.

Discover your greatest job but at virginiabeach.gov/careers.