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Wellbeing dog

‘Terrific Truffles’ is

making a paws-itive

impact on mental health

“I knew she would make people happy, but I more people start a conversation. All of a
don’t think I realised just how much she sudden, they’re opening up and asking me
would help people open up,” says Inspector questions,” added Paul, “I briefly thought I’d
Paul Van Veen, handler of Truffles, the Force’s become popular, but actually I’m just the
first ever wellbeing dog. human that drives Truffles around.”
Since joining the Force back in May, the While Truffles is used to encourage
eight-month-old maltipoo has already taken people to open up, Paul and Emma are
part in more than 40 engagements, trained mental health first aiders and peer
supporting police officers and staff, as well supporters, so are able to spot any signs of
as members of the community, with their mental health issues and signpost officers
wellbeing. and staff towards further support.
Former dog handler Paul, who has been “We spend time with a large amount of
in the police for 25 years, successfully student officers too, one of which had
campaigned for Truffles earlier this year, attended a road accident, where a
having seen the impact post-traumatic motorcyclist had been killed and was trapped
stress disorder (PTSD) has had on many of his under a car. The officer had scratches on his
colleagues. Paul and his partner PC Emma arm, which turned out to be from family
Dinning, a student assessor, both handle members trying to rescue the deceased – he
Truffles, using her as much as possible – with had been holding them back. He was
a lot of the work done in their own time. questioning his job but, thanks to Emma and
“I never imagined just how much of an Truffles, he opened up about how he was
amazing impact Truffles would have,” said feeling and discussed the help available,”
Paul, who came off the frontline at the end explained Paul.
of last year, before heading into an office Having owned German shepherds since
role. He added: “She is great at getting he was a teenager and working with police
people talking, as well as breaking down the dogs for more than 10 years, Paul says that
barriers between the public and the Force. even he has been shocked by the partnership
“She’s definitely helping to improve and he has with Truffles.
strengthen the relationship the police have Truffles. “I never thought I would have had a dog
with the public. I take her out for a walk and domestic violence refuge, where Emma and like this in my life,” he said, “It had always
out of the dozens of people I pass, I think Truffles met with a domestic violence victim’s been my dream to work with police dogs and
only a couple haven’t stopped to talk to me.” daughter who had been mute for three catch criminals, but I didn’t always think
Known as “Terrific Truffles”, she was months following the trauma of seeing her about the victim behind the crime.
part-funded by the Police and Crime mom violently assaulted. After spending “Both Truffles and the police dogs I’ve
Commissioner’s Community Initiative Fund, time with Truffles, she was laughing and worked with make so much of a difference,
before becoming an official wellbeing and giggling running around screaming ‘doggy, but in different ways.”
trauma dog, representing the National Police Mommy’ – her mum, along with Emma and Paul admits that while his colleagues are
Wellbeing service Oscar Kilo 9 initiative. the staff all burst into tears and mum hopes supportive of the project, they do not all
As well as working in the community and to get a dog when they finally find a place of understand it.
with police staff, Truffles supports victims, their own. “Traditionally, dogs in the police had one
and will work with arrested suspects too. “Another highlight was when we visited a purpose, to fight crime. If I’d suggested the
“We will trial her in custody to calm special needs school where there was a boy idea of wellbeing dogs five years ago, I
down offenders, which will hopefully lead to who wouldn’t touch anything but when he would’ve been laughed out of the room,” he
them engaging with us a lot better,” Paul saw Truffles, he reached out and started explains.
explains. stroking her. It’s these little victories that Despite only being in her first year,
“Plus, we go into schools and speak with make such a difference.” Truffles is already well travelled, having
children who might be on the wrong side of Of course, a huge benefit to having shaken paws by supporting Care of Police
crime or looking at going down that path. Truffles in the team is supporting officers Survivors (COPS), attending the charity’s
Those children aren’t engaging and then and staff with their mental health. annual family weekend at the National
within 20 minutes or so, they are playing “I used to walk into a room of 20 or so Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, the
with Truffles and chatting about the dog. people and maybe one person would talk to first time a dog has attended, and to the
“One of her earlier visits was to a me. Now, I walk in with Truffles and 15 or National Service Dog Bravery Awards.

www.polfed.org/westmids federation December 2021/January 2022 27