Service Dogs Visit 911 Dispatchers
Dispatchers who handle 911 calls deal with stress everyday. Now a nonprofit called Soldier’s 6 will help alleviate Hennepin County dispatchers of some of that stress.
The Minnesota-based nonprofit helps supply specially trained K-9s to honorably discharged veterans, police officers and firefighters. The name “Soldier’s 6” refers to the dog having the soldier’s back or “their 6.”
“The ability of a dog just to take and release some of the stress, the every day stress, is unbelievable,” says Ed Abramson, a director from Soldier’s 6. “That’s what we are doing here.”
On Wednesday, two dogs named Rex and Dez visited the 911 facility in Plymouth for the first time.
“It’s important that we try everything. This is not the only option we’re going to go,” said Sheriff David Hutchinson. “We’re going to try every option to make sure dispatchers are taken care of emotionally and physically.”
The dogs plan to return to the facility from time to time to brighten the day of dispatchers.
“I can see how it will be helpful after a stressful call to have the dog around, to pet you know, to get a little loving,” said dispatcher Adrian Eisenman.
