Campbell Police Department Welcomes First Therapy Dog

CAMPBELL, CA — The Campbell Police department officially introduced their newest member of the city's K9 team on social media Monday. K9 Ainsley, a "bernedoodle," is the department's first therapy dog.

K9 Ainsley will be given the task of supporting the department's staff, comforting victims, witnesses and visiting schools, according to Chief Gary Berg.

“These are trying times for all in our community,” Berg said, according to the release. “We appreciate the generous donations to the foundation from community members that have allowed us to bring this important program to our employees and the public.”

The bernadoodle, named after the historic Campbell family, was first brought into the deparment on Dec. 10 at 8 weeks old. The young pup was assigned to partner with one of the department's Records Specialists for training.

"Therapy dogs are meticulously trained to encompass specific skills and characteristics to help calm taxing emotions and stressful situations," Cambell police officials wrote in a statement. "...she has already lightened the mood inside the police department."

The department has had the goal of adding a therapy dog to the K9 program for several years to help bolster employee wellness and improve community engagement, officials wrote.

"Therapy dogs have been proven to help individuals cope with stress and exposure to traumatic incidents," a news release states. "Therapy dogs can significantly reduce heightened short-term anxiety following a critical incident for department employees, victims, and witnesses. "

Ainsley is the first therapy dog at a law enforcement agency in Santa Clara County. The program was funded by donations given to the Campbell Police Foundation.

We are excited to welcome the addition of our first therapy dog, K9 Ainsley, to the #K9Team. The Therapy Dog Program is the first of its kind for a law enforcement agency in Santa Clara County.

Read more about this program here: https://t.co/z8oGZirmxy pic.twitter.com/b14V83FimH
— Campbell Police (@CampbellPolice) December 21, 2020