Calhoun County Consolidated Dispatch Authority (CCCDA) welcomes a new member of the team—Hope, a dog from the organization Canines For Change who will provide emotional support for staff. Hope is a one-year-old Goldendoodle who is nearly complete in her certification process to be a facility dog.
Before coming to CCCDA, Hope was trained in advanced obedience as well as socialized with many types of people. She can offer comfort and friendship, while reducing stress and anxiety. Hope has a designated handler, Dispatch Supervisor Abbey Kidder, who supports Hope’s needs beyond providing support in Dispatch.
According to Executive Director Michael Armitage, “911 telecommunicators regularly answer emergency calls that are stressful and traumatic. It is also their responsibility to make sure the right resources are sent, and pre-arrival instructions are given to the caller. There is evidence in other 911 centers that having a facility dog assists with this emotional stress by creating a calm and welcoming environment for our staff.”
Canines For Change trains and facilitates dogs joining organizations where they can offer support for employees or clients, such as in hospitals, nursing homes, or schools. Increasingly, these working dogs are being utilized in dispatch centers to provide a calming outlet for telecommunicators who work in high-stress situations.
This opportunity was made possible in part through a grant from Bronson Battle Creek Hospital (BBCH) Community Partners, which awarded CCCDA funds for half the cost of the canine, as well as the first year of care. BBCH Community Partners grants are intended to promote the wellbeing and health of the local community. This grant was applied for with assistance from the Battle Creek Community Foundation.
Hope will take a test to certify as a facility dog in the next few weeks, which means completing various tasks with minimal intervention. Commands she is trained in include sit, stay, down, heel, cuddle, and leave it. She trains weekly in a structured setting through Canines For Change, as well as daily with her CCCDA handler. Once certified, her harness will be upgraded from identifying that she’s in training to displaying the CCCDA logo.
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