Monty the dog helps boost mental health

10 October 2024

Mental health at work is the theme of this year’s World Mental Health Day – and the chair of West Mercia Police Federation aims to do his bit with the help of six-month-old puppy Monty.

Steve Butler says Monty has had a positive impact on the emotional and mental wellbeing of members and colleagues on the occasions he has brought the cockapoo into the office.

And Monty has made such an impact that Steve is now exploring whether Monty can be trained to become the branch’s wellbeing dog,

Steve, who has had Monty for four months, said: “I have been fortunate that during this time when I initially struggled with dog sitters I was able to bring him into the office.

West Mercia Police Federation chair Steve Butler with Monty.

“The first few times I brought him in I was instantly surprised by the positive impact he had on staff in the office, visitors, members, and even on colleagues in the Professional Standards Department (PSD).

“When members are coming in for an interview with the IOPC or PSD, or for case conferences, he puts them at ease.

“He is so happy to see people, and when they see him they seem to relax when usually it can be quite stressful.

“I have also noticed that when Monty is about, people tend to relax and open more about issues and concerns, which makes for more supportive conversations.

Steve, who brings Monty into the branch office in Droitwich on Tuesdays and Thursdays, said: “We always check with people if they’re happy to meet him and, so far, everyone is.”

Monty has completed his puppy training at Cosford Dog Training near Wolverhampton and is currently working towards his Kennel Club bronze award.

And Steve said the next step was to link up with Oscar Kilo, the national police wellbeing service, and its OK9 wellbeing and trauma support dogs initiative.

It aims to build on local police wellbeing dog services and make wellbeing dogs available to all forces who wish to introduce a dog as part of their wellbeing provision.

Steve said: “He is still a puppy, so has a long way to go, but I think he has a gift for making people feel at ease so I’m exploring with Oscar Kilo and the Force to get him trained as an official welfare support dogs.”

Steve has spoken about Monty and his journey to becoming a wellbeing support dog for World Mental Health Day, which takes place today (Thursday 10 October).

And he said he hoped awareness campaigns such as World Mental Health Day helped reduce the stigma around speaking about emotional and mental wellbeing, particularly among men.

Monty with West Mercia Police Federation secretary Pete Nightingale.

He said: “There’s still a lot of work to be done about getting men to speak out, and things like World Mental Health Day do help.

“It can be difficult for men to speak up, and I do worry about the impact of that.

“Anything we can do to reduce that stigma has to be a good thing – and hopefully, that’s where Monty can come in.”

Members can access resources through the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) #AskTwice campaign, which aims to develop a culture that positively addresses mental health and wellbeing in the police service.

Members are encouraged to ask how their colleagues are and, if they are not convinced by the answer, to ask twice.

The campaign brings together assets to offer support and guidance in areas such as bereavement, financial wellbeing, and suicide.

The online resource will grow over time as new information and advice is added to it.

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