EMMITT: Best paw forward for BPD

PHOTO PROVIDED
Barberton K9 officer Emmitt and handler Katie Fleming

 

COMPILED BY EMILY CANNING-DEAN | BGNN staff writer

BARBERTON Ever since he was 8 weeks old, K9 Officer Emmitt has been serving the Barberton community as the Barberton Police Department’s first therapy/crisis K9. He has been with the department for almost two years.

Recently Emmitt’s handler, Katie Fleming, shared some fun facts about this integral part of the department.

MEET EMMITT

Age: 2 years old

Breed: English Cream Golden Retriever

Favorite toy: His “baby” (stuffed mouse) and stuffed beer mug.

Favorite treat: String cheese and chicken.

Favorite activity: Swimming and playing with his dog brother, Onyx.

Tasks Emmitt is trained in: “Emmitt is a trained and certified crisis K9 for use specifically with law enforcement and first responders. This is a relatively new concept and is different from the commonly known therapy dogs that visit hospitals, etc.

“Although he has the same certifications as traditional therapy dogs, he has much more extensive training and more additional certifications including being certified through the state and OPOTA. He is specially trained to respond to critical incidents, crime scenes, posttrauma debriefings, assist with police interviews, provide comfort to those in crisis, help de-escalate individuals in distress and much more. But while he is at the police station, Emmitt helps to boost morale and provides great stress relief to his coworkers. He also helps to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the community by visiting the schools, attending community events and interacting with kids and families as part of the department’s Juvenile Diversion Program.”

What is one of the biggest cases Emmitt was involved in:
“Emmitt has helped so many people already that it is difficult to pick just one. But I will highlight
one story related to his coworkers and one story from the community,” his handler Katie Fleming said. “Shortly after Emmitt began working at the PD, there was a truly horrific call that the police and fire departments were called to. It involved a person who had experienced an incredibly graphic, painful, and traumatic death. One of the responding officers who happened to be a younger and newer officer was one of the first on the scene. This was unlike any other call he had dealt with up to that point, so naturally he took it pretty hard.
Afterward, the officer returned to the station, he specifically sought out Emmitt. He wanted Emmitt’s help to simply decompress and relieve the stress so that he was
ready to go back out for the remainder of his shift. There were numerous
times that I had seen Emmitt making a difference within the department, but that was the first time I actually got to witness the healing effect he had on others. One of the biggest impacts that I have seen him make within the community has been his interaction with students in the schools. Emmitt has calmed anxious children; he has been a giant stress reliever for countless kiddos that have endured trauma and he has spent time with the special needs kids, helping them forget – even if for only a few minutes – that which makes life a little harder for them. But one of my favorite examples was something that happened during a chance encounter with a small preschooler.
A teacher was walking this student through the hallway when he saw Emmitt. Although he was hesitant at first, we encouraged him to pet Emmitt and interact with him. After what turned out to be a lengthy visit, the teacher told the student that it was time to return to the classroom.
Though he was initially unsure of Emmitt, he had warmed up to him and then didn’t want to leave. But the teacher told him that they needed to go and get ready to go home.
So through a few tears, the boy waved goodbye to Emmitt and said one word, “dog.” The teacher’s eyes began to well up and she explained to me that the little boy had some special needs and was non-verbal. When he said “dog” it was the first word he ever spoke. “His gentle soul has allowed countless kids (and adults) the opportunity to experience the kind of deep connection and unconditional love that dogs are famous for, while unknowingly reducing their anxiety, depression and stress. Countless studies have scientifically proven that interacting with dogs like Emmitt, boosts the body’s dopamine, serotonin and endorphins (the feel good hormones), while also decreasing anxiety, depression and stress levels. So many kids and adults have experienced various forms of trauma in their lives and Emmitt is an incredibly valuable tool in the focus
to improve mental health.”

What you like best about him:
“Everything. Emmitt is the most gentle and loving soul. I am beyond blessed that I get to benefit from his love and devotion every day. But I am also endlessly grateful to work with people who supported my vision of bringing this added layer of mental health support to our department and our community. I was able to combine my two favorite things (helping others, especially kids, and dogs) into one incredibly fulfilling job.”

Fun fact: “He actually bullies his larger, German Shepherd brother and he once tried to befriend a silverback gorilla at the Columbus Zoo.”