Not just a cute face: pup training to be trauma specialist

Meet Murphy. Unlike other police dogs, he has no interest in chasing people or sniffing out trouble.

Instead, he loves belly rubs, meeting new people who will give him belly rubs, and going on walks to meet new people who will ... well, you get it.

The 15-week-old beagle belongs to a staff member based in Dunedin Central station and is being trained as part of a police pilot programme to become a trauma/specialist support dog.

In essence, his role will be focused on supporting frontline first responders, victims and witnesses who suffer the effects of trauma and more complex PTSI/PTSD after exposure to traumatic events.

Constable Emily Tomooka said Murphy arrived at the station at 6 weeks old to start his training, and given that her role as a community constable involved patrolling the Dunedin bus hub, she asked if she could take him with her on the patrols to help socialise him.

"And he’s been a hit since day one.

"Obviously it’s really good for him to get used to the smells, noise and people, and it’s really good for me — especially before school, with students catching the buses — for them to start the day off right and say hello to the dog and me."

He was breaking down barriers and attracting people that might not usually want to talk to police because they were afraid.

"He’s just very calm and pretty approachable, social and relaxed. It rubs off on everyone.

"He provides a good bridge between me and the community — he gives them a good reason to talk to me."

One of Murphy’s greatest attributes was that he was one of the few things that could get teenagers off their phones and force them to engage in the real world, she said.

"A lot of kids these days just spend their time on their phones waiting for their buses.

"But they put their phones down for three seconds and say ‘hi’, which is great — nice and positive.

"It certainly makes it easier for me to engage with them about how they’re feeling, or any issues they’re facing.

"And for some of them, seeing Murphy is something they look forward to."

Murphy was also very popular with staff in the station.

"He’ll lie down do get some belly rubs, especially in the station where he knows he’s going to get all the love and cuddles.

"He loves those belly rubs."

While he does a lot of tricks, he has not yet been taught to fetch the Otago Daily Times from the mailbox, Const Tomooka said.

"Who knows what else he’ll learn to do."

Eventually, it was hoped other trauma/specialist support dogs like Murphy would be rolled out at police stations across the country.

john.lewis@odt.co.nz