Guide Dog Sacked For Pursuing Squirrels Lands Important New Job

Jan 09, 2020 by apost team

After being expelled from the guide dog program because she wouldn't refrain from chasing squirrels, five-year-old labrador River has found new employment as a "calming dog" at Maidstone Police Station.

The new program uses a dog to help keep vulnerable people calm while in custody. Many people with mental illnesses, anxiety, or depression, and juveniles, are often upset and agitated by the experience of being arrested.

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After she failed to curb her enthusiasm for squirrels and was dropped from the guide dog program, River underwent retraining at "Pets as Therapy" and then spent some time acting as a therapy dog at a school for children with special educational needs. She made such a positive difference in the children's behavior that the school decided to get a full-time therapy dog of their own, and River again found herself out of a job.

The police station was initiating an experimental program to use a "calming dog" and decided to give River a chance. She passed the tests showing she had the calm. resilient temperament necessary to deal with a police setting, which luckily rarely includes squirrels.

During her work, she has a handler who keeps an eye on her at all times to ensure her safety, she has access to water, and she is given regular breaks. Sergeant Ian Sutton explains on the Kent Police website:

"We are often dealing with people in crisis and although their behavior has resulted in arrest, they could be suffering with depression, anxiety or mental illness."

Keeping people in police custody as calm as possible benefits everyone. Calm detainees are more cooperative, less stressed and anxious, and are thus less likely to need to be restrained.

The officer went on to say that since River has been on the job, there has been an obvious difference in the behavior of the detainees. They were calmer, less anxious, more cooperative, and more likely to have a positive experience while in police custody.

If this enjoyable story about the guide dog who wouldn't stop chasing squirrels entertained you, your friends will probably love it too.