Lima Police Department Receives First Therapy Dog

In Lima, police dogs are more than just pets; they're partners. Whether they're sniffing out narcotics, tracking down suspects, or providing emotional support to our officers, these dogs are an integral part of our police force. The bond between our dogs and their handlers is a testament to the power of teamwork and trust.

Take Myla, the city's first-ever therapy dog, who began her work with the Lima Police Department on May 17th. Not only does she bring comfort to our officers, but she also brings joy to our community. She's a shining example of the positive impact that animals can have in law enforcement. Her handler, Sergeant Brittney Osting, answered some questions about Myla's contribution to the force, as well as how therapy dogs in general help our community.

What is Myla's job?

"Really, her job is to help the officers and community members when they are going through a hard time. As officers, we experience a lot of traumatic events and see things that most people only see on TV. Some officers have a hard time talking with others about the hardships we encounter, so Myla can come in and help provide a sense of comfort for them. Petting a dog helps relieve stress and anxiety in people, so she is here to be the listening ear that some officers may need and just provide comfort for them. Also, if we encounter a child or victim that is scared to speak with officers about what they experienced or scared to testify on the stand, Myla will come in and sit with them to let them know they are safe and comfort them."

What's the process of training therapy dogs like?

"There's a 6-week training course where we mainly focus on obedience and being comfortable around people, as well as trusting me enough to know I won't put her in dangerous situations alone. Myla is also narcotic and article search certified."

Are there certain criteria the dogs have to meet before they can start training?

"Not really. Mainly they just have to have a calm personality, be willing to be around people, kids, or other animals, and they shouldn't be aggressive at all."

How long are they usually in training?

"We trained at Von der haus Gill for 6 weeks to get her started. Then we train every 2 weeks for 8 hours with the K9 team. I also train her at home every day, working on mostly obedience."

What made you consider handling the dogs?

"I love dogs, I love interacting with the community members of Lima, and having a therapy dog allows me to have a more positive interaction with people. The joy on the kids' faces when they see a dog that they can pet and come up to is amazing."

What advice would you give to someone wanting to train therapy dogs?

"Dogs are a lot of work and time-consuming, but having one is very rewarding. You just have to be willing to continue putting in the work to train, but seeing them learn and do new tricks is so rewarding in the end."

What would you say has been the best part of getting to work with Myla?

"Having her go everywhere with me. Seeing everyone in the community and the police department get excited when they see her and happy to interact with her. She really changes peoples' moods and brings out a soft side of everyone."

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