Responding to First Responders

Stephanie Williams & Han Solo

Unlike most Edmond Police Department employees, Han Solo accepts payment in treats and ear scratches. The yellow labrador retriever and his “mom,” Stephanie Williams, head up the Edmond Police Department’s Wellness Unit.

Because “super cute” isn’t an adequate qualification, Solo has worked to become a therapy dog. The process includes multiple levels of obedience training, the Canine Good Citizen Program completion, and Therapy Dog certification.

As a Licensed Professional Counselor, Stephanie says Solo’s impact on the department is immeasurable. After contributing on a contract basis to the department’s mental health amid multiple traumatic events and losses in recent years, the pair became a full-time presence at EPD last October.

“Officers don’t have the luxury of ever being fully detached from their job,” Stephanie explained, “When they come in from a tough call or just a tough season, it’s healing to be greeted by Solo. He gives a relaxing, happy distraction from the demands of their job.”

Stephanie says the benefits of interacting with a therapy dog are not just imagined. “Research shows even 10 minutes of interaction can reduce cortisol, lower blood pressure, decrease anxiety and boost our body’s happy chemicals, dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin and endorphins.”

When Stephanie and Solo first began their work, many civilians believed the dog would be used as a tool for the community, not assuming Solo’s service would be focused on the officers. “One of the best parts of my work with Solo is just bridging the gap,” Stephanie said. “There can be a stigma around mental health, but Solo makes it so easy to form connections. People will start talking about their dogs, and pretty soon, they are able to start talking about their personal lives.”

Stephanie says Solo’s silliness is often therapy in itself. “I’ll take him around to the different areas, or sometimes to line up, and it’s just funny to see this big, wiggly dog run in just dying to greet everyone.”

Sometimes it’s as simple as a quick pet. But sometimes, Solo adds the element of comfort and connection that people need to move toward something more. “I’ve had a first responder tell me that if I hadn’t had a dog, they wouldn’t have come to see me at all.”

Though Stephanie says Solo is a “silly boy,” he also has a sense for seriousness. “He can often sense what someone needs from him. I’ve been in sessions where he will go over to someone and they’ll tell me, ‘Oh, he knows!’”

This sixth sense of sorts is an invaluable resource for EPD’s mission to maintain officer health from the day they are hired to the day they retire. But for Solo, it’s just another awesome day at work.

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