The Cumberland County Board of Chosen Freeholders has announced a new wellness initiative benefiting County employees which uses dog therapy to provide emotional support to County workers. In introducing the program, Freeholder Director Joseph Derella stated, “Workplace Employees Living Life, “K-9 W.E.L.L”, is being made available to all County departments”. Derella added, “Under the direction of the County’s Director of Training and Development, Cindy Hickman, Ph.D., County departments such as the Office of Emergency Management, the Department of Workforce Development, the Health Department and the County Administration Office have already benefited from the program.”
“The program features trained handlers and their dogs who make themselves available when needed and called upon to provide comfort and care to employees”, stated Ms. Hickman. “We will also make random visits to County departments in an effort to make the program’s benefits accessible”, added Hickman.
The K-9 W.E.L.L dogs consist of two yellow Labradors named Morgan and Denton, Ezekiel a boxer, and Chihuahua named Prince. They are a part of Alliance of Therapy Dogs, a national organization which provides canine therapy to many organizations such as, schools and college campuses, nursing homes, cancer centers, hospitals, and rehab facilities.
In expressing her support for the program, Freeholder Deputy Director Darlene Barber stated, “The average person will spend 90,000 hours at work over a lifetime and studies have shown that when employees experience stress, loss, and anxiety at work, these dogs reduce stress levels and increase positive workplace interactions.”
“K-9 W.E.L.L. is just one step in an expanding wellness initiative for Cumberland County workers”, stated Director Derella. “The Freeholders encourage our County Administration’s leadership to look for opportunities to enhance the wellness of our employees and recognize the multiple benefits dog therapy offers”, added Derella.
Pictured: Michael Rodriguez, 911 Dispatch, with Prince, one of the "K-9 W.E.L.L." dogs.
Pictured: Kevin Hall, 911 Dispatch, with Prince.