Storm’s greatest lesson in her new position as a therapy dog for CAP Security in Houghton has been ‘to give and receive love’.
Storm is currently in training as a therapy dog for the security company.
CAP Security Special Intervention Unit K9 operator Zameer Husain explained that Storm was ‘just that kind of a dog… personable and bubbly’, which is why she was chosen to be trained as a ‘therapist’ for the security company’s services to the local community. Storm’s presence at the CAP offices is a response to a recognised need by the company’s professionals for a ‘non-judgmental’ comforter for those left traumatised by crime.
Husain told the Gazette that Storm was so named because even as a puppy, she was all over the place. “When she enters the room,” she commands attention. She’s a real diva,” he said.
But the dog is not just lovable, she is also able to empathise with those she comes into contact with, one of the reasons she was selected as a therapy dog in the first place.
“We have different divisions in our K9 operations,” explained Husain. “Depending on their temperaments, some of the dogs are trained for suspect apprehension, and others for narcotics and explosives detection, for example.” He said the decision to ‘employ’ a therapy dog was a new one, and that this new department in the K9 division rested on the shoulders of the quite capable Storm.
“Dogs are more intelligent than one realises,” said Husain, adding he was in the best job ever. He said therapy dogs could be trained to sense a person’s cortisone levels, indicating levels of stress, and respond appropriately.
As a working officer, Storm is in high demand for her cuddles and nose kisses, but she does have a day off. “Mondays are exercise day. She runs around the park, wagging her tail. This is her time to just be a dog.”
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