(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- A veteran police officer at an Illinois college says her department is seeing the benefits of having four legged coworkers.
While speaking about her efforts to save the life of a man in cardiac arrest at a weekend football game, University of Illinois police officer Tara Hurless mentioned her Therapy K9 Kirby.
“He goes everywhere with me," she said.
Hurless said when arriving on the scene of traumatic incidents, having a therapy dog on hand can help de escalate situations and assist everyone involved.
“It’s scientifically proven that petting a dog, petting an animal, helps your mental health within your brain.”
The U of I department currently has three therapy dogs on staff, and Hurless said they’ve been busy speaking to other agencies across the state, urging them to add canines of their own.
“Crises don’t just occur during normal business hours,” she said. “A lot occur during hours of operation where nothing else is open but the police department, hospital, EMS and fire.”
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