He definitely is Zen New VPD canine recruit focused on employee wellness in BC first

Vancouver police officers are at a higher risk of stress, anxiety and depression due to the trauma they encounter at work, and now an unprecedented canine rookie is helping members take care of their mental health â€" before it becomes an illness.

Zen, a three-year old Black Labrador Golden Retriever cross, works full-time with Const. Michele McKnight in the VPD’s Employee Wellness Unit.

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He is the first accredited facility dog from the Pacific Assistance Dog Society(PADS) to work internally in a B.C. police department â€" providing physical, social and emotional support to its sworn members and civilian staff.

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“It’s a very progressive opportunity to spread wellness in the workplace,” Zen’s handler Cst. Michele McKnight told Global News.

Zen was born and bred for PADS, and was raised and trained to be an assistance dog for someone with a physical disability.

He underwent advanced training on the society’s Burnaby campus before landing in a police building that houses the department’s high-stress investigative units.

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Look who I found keeping watch in front of my office. Zen is the 1st accredited facility dog assigned to a BC police dept. to work internally, supporting #mentalwellness of police employees, sworn and civilian professionals in #VPD. U have to get pass Zen today. #worksfortreats pic.twitter.com/4oBOFFUOC4

â€" Howard Tran (@HowardTranVPD) October 14, 2021

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Sleeping on the job is part of the gig for the new recruit, who is helping keep his human colleagues calm and relaxed.

“I just sit with him like I am now and hold him and pet him and it just helps to bring everything down,” Det. Anna Grigoletto told Global News.

Canadian police officers are disproportionately affected by mental illness.

In 2018, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health found 29 per cent were in the clinical diagnostic range for PTSD.

The lifetime prevalence rate for all Canadians is about nine per cent.

Since he began his role in mid-July, Zen has helped members decompress after seven critical incidents.

“He has a very low key personality and it just helped to defuse the entire event of that day for me,” said Const. Annemarie Unheim of her debrief session with the canine this past summer.

Police officers are at a higher risk of experiencing stress, anxiety, and depression. Thanks to @PADSdogs and @VanPoliceFnd, Zen and Sadie are now helping lower stress and encourage healthy communication for all #VPD staff. #WorldMentalHealthDay pic.twitter.com/TJH8Dnk6tw

â€" Vancouver Police (@VancouverPD) October 10, 2021

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Zen is also comforting civilian members like Pamela Dixon, who are on the front lines of every report, photograph or file that comes into the department.

“Just to bring down their stress level and help with the difficult things that happen in this job,” the VPD Investigative Services executive assistant said.

“He’s really kind of breaking down barriers people are willing to come say hello and have a conversation,” McKnight added.

Donated by PADS, Zen’s care costs are covered by the Vancouver Police Foundation â€" while his calming canine contribution is priceless.

“He definitely is Zen,” said McKnight.

“He brings a world of Zen to our work environment.”

© 2021 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

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