Austin dog therapy group hopes to expand
AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department Pet Team steps in after tough calls.
"It’s a pet therapy team for the Austin Police Department. We provide comfort and support for law enforcement and the staff," said Courtney Leigh, the program manager for the team. "Such benefits just seeing the officers, anyone we encounter, you not only see them light up, you see their shoulders release, they’re calmer, happier."
Sergeant Ben Mewis, who has been an officer for nearly 25 years, calls this service invaluable.
"I can’t think about a time where I’ve been in a bad mood and come up and pet an animal and I’m still in a bad mood. It makes me feel such relief," he said. "I’m so grateful the department started this program, I know it means a lot to our officers. I’ve had my shift go through several difficult calls, I know all shifts have gone through several difficult calls, we have the APD Pet team come in."
He's not just part of this story to talk about the dogs. He's working to raise money for them.
"They're mostly volunteers," he said. "They're coming in on their own time, getting the certifications for their own dogs."
You may have seen him before.
Mewis uses his passion for running - tackling 100+ mile courses - to connect with the community.
"We're doing another one," he said, laughing. His efforts not only raise money, but also awareness for organizations he's passionate about. In the past, he's run in honor of fallen officers, and to help other animal organizations like the Central Texas Pig Rescue.
All of the dogs on the APD Pet Team have - at the very least - a level of training called K9 Good Citizen. Two of the positions are grant-funded, but the rest are volunteers.
The group's ultimate goal is to be able to provide the same support they do to APD to EMS and the fire department as well.