By Maxime Schifano
Law enforcement officers routinely experience high-risk, high-stress situations, from violent confrontations to traumatic calls involving child abuse, domestic violence and fatal accidents. [1] Over time, cumulative stress, PTSD and anxiety can lead to burnout, depression and even suicide, all of which remain a significant issue in policing today.
Studies indicate that nearly one in three officers suffer from PTSD-related symptoms. [2] Additionally, police officers are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty, with an estimated 17 out of 100,000 officers dying by suicide each year, compared to 13 per 100,000 in the general U.S. population, [3] yet stigma and lack of resources often prevent officers from seeking help.
Operation Freedom Paws positively impacts this issue by providing law enforcement officers with highly trained service dogs and therapy dogs to help mitigate the effects of stress and trauma. Unlike traditional therapy, dogs offer a 24/7 support system, assisting officers in regaining confidence, managing symptoms and reintegrating into daily life on and off the job.
This article explains how Operation Freedom Paws works, why service and therapy dogs are vital mental health tools for law enforcement, and how agencies can integrate these programs into officer wellness initiatives.
About Operation Freedom Paws
Operation Freedom Paws (OFP) was founded in 2010 by Mary Cortani, a Vietnam-era veteran and certified Army master of canine education. Recognizing the need for alternative mental health support for first responders and veterans, she developed a program that carefully selects dogs with service work temperaments from shelters and rescue groups. These dogs are then paired with participants based on their needs and lifestyle. Under professional supervision, participants train with their matched dogs to build a working relationship that enhances their ability to manage stress, anxiety and PTSD-related symptoms.
Service dogs vs. therapy dogs in law enforcement
It is important to distinguish between service dogs and therapy dogs, as each plays a different role in supporting law enforcement officers.
Service dogs
Service dogs are highly trained to perform specific tasks for an individual with a disability. In the context of law enforcement, officers diagnosed with PTSD or other mental health conditions may qualify for a service dog. However, service dogs are assigned to one individual and are not intended for general departmental use. A law enforcement officer with a service dog cannot deploy the dog in active-duty scenarios but benefits from the dog’s presence during off-duty hours, shift decompression and wellness settings. However, agencies can provide reasonable accommodations to the officers, especially if they are desk-bound or not on patrol. By doing so, they retain experiences and skill sets.
Key characteristics of service dogs:
- Task-trained to mitigate the effects of PTSD, anxiety or depression
- Protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), granting public access rights
- Assigned to and trained specifically for one individual
- Not used as a department-wide resource
Therapy dogs
On the other hand, therapy dogs provide emotional support to multiple individuals within a department or community. They are assigned to one handler. Law enforcement agencies can incorporate therapy dogs into peer support teams, wellness units and community engagement efforts. Unlike service dogs, therapy dogs do not have public access rights under ADA, but are valuable in reducing stress within departments and supporting officers after traumatic incidents.
Key characteristics of therapy dogs:
- Provide comfort and support to multiple people
- Used in debriefing sessions, wellness programs and stress-reduction initiatives
- Not assigned to a specific individual, but available for department-wide use
- Do not have ADA-protected public access rights
By integrating both service dogs for individual officers and therapy dogs for department-wide wellness programs, law enforcement agencies can create a well-rounded mental health support system.
How Operation Freedom Paws works
Operation Freedom Paws takes a unique, hands-on approach. The organization selects dogs with service work temperaments from shelters and rescue groups, then matches them with individual participants with intentionality. Under professional supervision, participants train with their matched dogs to build a working relationship that enhances their ability to manage stress, anxiety and PTSD-related symptoms. This 12- to 18-month service dog program fosters a deep bond between officer and dog, ensuring that each service dog is uniquely trained to meet the specific needs of its handler. The therapy dog training is a 24- to 30-week program.
The Operation Freedom Paws program is developed with first responders in mind, recognizing the unique stressors of law enforcement and tailoring training accordingly. It comes at no financial cost to officers or agencies, as it is fully funded through donations and grants. Graduates of the program receive certified service dog training, which grants full public access rights, or certified OFP therapy dog training, depending on their participation. Officers working with service dogs report improved emotional regulation, better sleep and reduced hyper-vigilance. For agency-wide support, therapy dogs can be integrated into peer support programs and wellness initiatives to further promote officer well-being.
How police departments can integrate service and therapy dog programs
Securing funding for service and therapy dog programs is a key concern for law enforcement agencies. The data supports that these initiatives directly contribute to officer wellness, reduced absenteeism and improved job performance. Agencies can use this information to apply for grants, secure department funding and gain community support.
- Use data-driven evidence: Studies show that departments with therapy dog programs see a 35% reduction in officer stress levels and 25% fewer sick days reported. [4] Highlighting these benefits can make a compelling case for funding requests.
- Apply for federal and state grants: Agencies can apply for grants from organizations like the Department of Justice’s Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office [5] or state law enforcement wellness initiatives that prioritize officer mental health.
- Leverage community partnerships: Local businesses and nonprofits often support officer wellness initiatives. Partnering with community organizations can help cover program costs.
- Demonstrate cost savings: With reduced officer burnout and fewer days lost to stress-related absences, agencies can show how funding a service or therapy dog program results in long-term cost savings for departments.
Law enforcement leadership, including police chiefs, sheriffs and wellness coordinators, can play a vital role in incorporating both service dogs and therapy dogs into officer wellness initiatives.
How police departments can implement a dog-assisted wellness program
Agencies ready to support officer wellness through service and therapy dogs can start by following these practical, proven steps:
- Educate officers on the differences between service dogs and therapy dogs to ensure appropriate expectations and usage
- Partner with organizations like OFP to establish a formal referral program for officers seeking service dog assistance
- Develop clear department policies outlining how therapy dogs will be used in wellness programs
- Ensure officers in need are prioritized based on PTSD diagnoses or chronic work-related stress
- Provide funding support through grants and partnerships with local nonprofits
Agencies that embrace both service and therapy dog programs report higher officer retention, improved morale and lower instances of stress-related absences. Studies have shown that agencies implementing therapy dog programs experience a 35% reduction in officer stress levels and 25% fewer sick days reported among officers participating in wellness initiatives. [4]
Next steps
Law enforcement agencies have an opportunity, ethical and moral responsibility to support their officers’ mental health through service and therapy dog programs. Whether through direct partnerships, department-wide awareness or funding support, these initiatives can significantly reduce officer stress, improve performance and save lives.
Law enforcement agencies can get involved with Operation Freedom Paws in several ways. Departments interested in starting a service or therapy dog program should visit the organization’s website to learn more about partnerships and referral options. Agencies can also request a consultation with Operation Freedom Paws to explore policy development and identify funding opportunities. Additionally, officers struggling with PTSD or job-related stress can apply directly to Operation Freedom Paws to begin service dog training.
By taking these steps, law enforcement leaders can help build a healthier, more resilient police force.
References
- Violanti JM, et al. (2017). The impact of stress on police mortality: A 15-year longitudinal study. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 60(7), 629–636.
- Ruderman Family Foundation. (2018). Police officers and firefighter suicides exceed line-of-duty deaths in 2017. Ruderman White Paper on Mental Health and Suicide of First Responders.
- Blue H.E.L.P. (2023). First responder suicide statistics.
- National Police Wellness Foundation. (2022). The impact of therapy dog programs on officer mental health and job performance.
- Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office. (2023). Grant funding for law enforcement wellness programs.
- Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). (2021). The effects of service dogs on PTSD in military veterans. JAMA Network Open, 4(1), e2034405.
About the author
Maxime Schifano is a law enforcement professional with over a decade of experience in corrections, training and leadership. She has worked extensively on officer wellness initiatives, compliance tracking and professional development within law enforcement agencies.
Maxime is passionate about mental health advocacy, focusing on solutions such as service and therapy dog programs to improve officer resilience and job performance. She is currently involved in researching and promoting best practices for integrating service dogs into law enforcement wellness programs.
| NEXT: Is your department considering adding a wellness dog to its ranks? Check out how Murphy, Chula Vista (Calif.) PD’s first official wellness dog, is making his mark at the department by boosting officers’ morale and mental health.
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
