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NYPD’s latest collar: Emotional support dogs for stressed cops

By Tina Moore and Natalie O'Neill

August 4, 2021 | 6:21pm | Updated August 4, 2021 | 6:22pm

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They’re paw-trol — to help cops cope.

The NYPD on Wednesday welcomed two emotional support dogs trained to comfort officers suffering from on-the-job trauma such as police-involved shootings.

Big Apple brass swore in two lovable yellow labs, Piper and Jenny, to kickoff the department’s first-of-its-kind program at One Police Plaza, police said.

The pooches — trained to hop into a distressed person’s lap and to kiss on cue — will be brought to cops who have “experienced a critical incident,” said officer Anthony Manza, a peer counselor in the NYPD’s Employee Assistance Unit.

“People who usually wouldn’t want to open up really have an easier time feeling comfortable around one of these K-9s,” said Manza, who is also one of Piper’s handlers. “These dogs are trained to detect stress and they will give an incredible amount of empathy to a person who’s in duress.”

He added, “We’re hoping that they will help lower the stigmas about mental health in the police department.”

(Left to right) Sergeant Anthony Manza, Detectives Ronald Thomas, Efrain Hernandez and police officer William Palmer pose with yellow lab dogs Piper and Jenny.
(Left to right) Sergeant Anthony Manza, Detectives Ronald Thomas, Efrain Hernandez and police officer William Palmer pose with yellow lab dogs Piper and Jenny.
Stephen Yang
Det. Ronald Thomas greets therapy dog Piper.
Detective Ronald Thomas greets therapy dog Piper.
Stephen Yang
NYPD add two therapy dogs, Det. Piper (shown) and Det. Jenny to their employee assistance program. The dogs were trained by female prisoners at Bedford State Prison by an organization called Puppies Behind Bars.
Piper, along with fellow therapy dog Jenny, were trained at the Bedford Women’s prison to help officers with coping stress.
Stephen Yang
Deputy commissioner Bob Ganley shakes hands with Piper.
Deputy commissioner Bob Ganley shakes hands with Piper.
Stephen Yang

The four-legged therapists will snuggle up to cops coping with anything from depression to post-traumatic stress disorder, said Officer William Palmer, whose job also involves providing emotional support to fellow officers.

“We can have the dog play with the police officer. And then after that they enjoy the company of the dog and we’ll start asking questions and go from there,” Palmer said.

The NYPD’s furry new officers underwent a two-week training program at the Bedford Women’s prison with their police handlers and will also provide emotional support to members of the community, police said.

Det. Efrain Hernandez plays with Jenny, one of NYPD's newest therapy dogs.
Detective Efrain Hernandez plays with Jenny.
Stephen Yang
First Deputy Commissioner Benjamin Tucker swears in Piper with handlers Sergeant Manza (left) and Detective Ronald Thomas (right).
First Deputy Commissioner Benjamin Tucker swears in Piper with handlers Sergeant Manza (left) and Detective Ronald Thomas (right).
Stephen Yang
NYPD adds two therapy dogs, Det. Piper and Det. Jenny to their employee assistance program. The dogs were trained by female prisoners at Bedford State Prison by an organization called Puppies Behind Bars.
Officer Anthony Manza says therapy dogs Piper and Jenny will give an “incredible amount of empathy” to troubled cops.
Stephen Yang
Piper and Jenny are sworn in at One Police Plaza.
Piper and Jenny are sworn in at One Police Plaza.
Stephen Yang

On Wednesday, the NYPD tweeted a photo of the dogs diligently sitting between officer’s legs, writing “Please welcome K9 Jenny and K9 Piper!”

“The NYPD is now at the forefront of a burgeoning a mental health and wellness movement in law enforcement,” said Janna Salisbury, Lieutenant Commanding Officer of the NYPD Employee Assistance Unit.

“They will assist their handlers in breaking down traditional mental health barriers,” she said.