World Mental Health Day: meet the OK9 dogs helping Hertfordshire Police officers

8 October 2026

Hertfordshire Police Federation is highlighting the role of the Force’s wellbeing dogs ahead of this year's World Mental Health Day (Saturday 10 October).

The dogs visit officers, staff, stations and teams across Hertfordshire Police to encourage conversations and help people take a moment to pause from the pressures of policing.

Hertfordshire Police has been using dogs to support vulnerable victims since 2016, while the wellbeing element of the programme began to develop in 2019.

PC Jo Healey, of the Force wellbeing team, said the role of wellbeing dogs was growing.

She said: “The demand is huge and has become an expectation that the wellbeing dogs are ever present.”

Health support

Alongside OK9 and peer support, the Wellbeing Team provides a range of initiatives including health coaching, the Wellbeing Outdoor Programme programmes, women's health support and work with staff networks.

PC Healey said the team understood the pressures faced by officers and staff.

She said: “We are a small but mighty team with more than 90 years between us in policing as staff and officers.

“​​We are passionate about our work, the good, the bad and the ultimate not nice we see in policing and among our teams.

“But, ultimately, we see the difference the dogs make in opening up some of those conversations and engagement in training deliveries and more.”

 

 

Oscar Kilo, the national police wellbeing service, oversees the OK9 programme across all forces.

Specially assessed dogs visit stations and departments to give staff a break from high-stress work, lower anxiety, and offer comfort after traumatic incidents.

Oscar Kilo says that when a dog is introduced to the workplace, ‘the atmosphere immediately changes and people want to interact with the dog’.

Jo agrees. Her miniature schnauzer Stanley is one of Hertfordshire Police’s OK9 dogs.

She said: “When I became aware of OK9, this was a game-changer.

“I was delighted to work with my boy Stan and develop it further with colleagues coming on board.”

DC Emily Martin’s Labrador Winnie is also one of the OK9 dogs. Winnie is following in the pawprints of Emily's previous wellbeing dog, Senna.

Wellbeing dog

Winnie has a particular enthusiasm for food, swimming and chasing a tennis ball, and Emily said she is proud of the role her dog plays in supporting people’s mental health.

“Policing can be very challenging and there’s nothing Winnie and I love more than to see the smiles on people’s faces when we go on station visits,” said Emily, a Hertfordshire Police Wellbeing Champion.

“I have lost count of the number of times people have said to us ‘gosh, things have been tough, but seeing Winnie, makes it ever so slightly better’.

“Winnie loves the work as much as the people love being with her and, as her owner, I feel immensely proud.”

For more information on OK9, including how to book a visit, contact Jo or Emily.

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