Clear The Shelters: How therapy dogs help our first responders

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Therapy dogs are pets that improve your health by providing you with emotional support and affection, but they can also be used to help others around you.

For the individual behind every first responder’s badge there is a physical and emotional toll from a job where traumatic events can be a daily occurrence. But the good news is our local first responders at AMR and at the Hampden County Correctional Facility don’t have to go through it alone thanks to the help of some cuddly four legged friends.

“Our four legged friends are everybody’s favorite coworkers. We are a family here dysfunctional at times, but it’s our four-legged friends that bring us all together every day,” said Sheriff Nick Cocchi.

Molly and Tess aren’t just your standard pets. These cuddly 8 and a half year old labs are both certified therapy dogs.

They are part of the comfort division team at the Hampden County Correctional facility. Nina Valentino, supervisor of the emotional support division, is in charge of this cuddly crew.

“They serve a multitude of people so we go into the jails we’re working with inmates,” said Valentino. “They are working with inmates on the units and medical we’re out in the communities working at schools old homes VA mostly we use them to support emotionally, but we also use them to connect.”

Once the therapy dog vest comes on they are officially on duty…ready to provide both staff and inmates with some much need affection. Daisy, who’s a therapy dog in training, is preparing to play her role in comforting people in need.

“Our staff work very hard. They work a lot of times is unseen. It’s behind the fences behind the walls. You’re dealing with people who are at the very low point in their life and in the best of moods so these four-legged friends really put a smile on the staffs faces,” Cocchi mentioned.

Therapy dogs sweet demeanors and unconditional love have a therapeutic benefit
Which is why Freddie, AMR’s Floppy eared companion, is loved and cherished by all.

“For a long time mental health wasn’t talked about in the industry and we’re trying to kind of eliminate that sigma that people can’t talk about it and the therapy dog seem to be that first step,” said Freddie’s handler, Melissa Piscatelli.

The smiles that therapy dogs bring are therapy of the most basic kind: heart-warming, soul-touching contact with a furry companion that instinctively picks up on emotions and intuitively knows how to approach people with care and comfort.

Dogs are efficient at elevating mood and providing relaxation to humans, making them a perfect companion to hang around.

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