Laddy the dog helps police comfort crime victims

Wichita police have acquired a new four-legged friend to help comfort victims and witnesses of crimes.

Laddy, a 2-year-old yellow Labrador, has been placed as a facility dog with the Victims Assistance Unit, where he’ll act as a calming presence to people struggling with the stress and anxiety of violent crimes.

Michele Blunck, Victims Assistance Coordinator and Laddy’s handler, said facility dogs are of special value to victims because they offer comfort in a way that people can’t.

“They’re silent, they’re not judgmental, they don’t care where you come from, what color you are, where you’ve been,” Blunck said. “They just are there for you.”

Laddy has received two years of training to earn his title as a facility dog. Last month, after a week of intensive training with Blunck, he graduated from the Kansas Special Dog Service campus in Washington, Kan. Unlike service dogs or therapy dogs, Laddy is a working professional. He’ll spend his days providing silent comfort to victims and witness, and at night, go home with Blunck to enjoy the normal life of a pet.

Wichita police Sgt. Nikki Woodrow said the dog, along with all of the training, has been provided free of charge to the Wichita Police Department.

Blunck said having Laddy in the office has “definitely raised morale” among the investigators. Although the dog has only worked with a few victims, Blunck said he’s already made an impact.

“He’s not worked with a whole lot (of victims) yet,” Blunck said. “But those that he has have commented on how happy they are that he was there.”

This story was originally published July 20, 2016 at 9:50 AM with the headline "Laddy the dog helps police comfort crime victims."