The RNC’s new support dog Stella is already becoming a well-known face in the community, but for one Constable, Stella has given her new life.
Stella and her handler, Constable Krista Fagan, are already out in the community, and Stella will also be used in places like courtrooms to help victims and witnesses.
The project has been sponsored in full by independent businessman, Jim Hynes.
Constable Fagan says many calls they go to are very challenging and stick with you. Support like this, with Stella will make a big difference for both the community and employees.
She says it’s personally helped her with PTSD and it will be wonderful for all. @VOCMNEWS pic.twitter.com/fLEIGByfLe
— Ben Murphy (@VOCMBen) July 14, 2020
Constable Fagan says Stella has been doing just as much for her as she will for the province. Fagan lives with PTSD and crashed last year after trauma from responding to calls piled up and put on the backburner. She knew then that she had to deal with it and reached out for help.
Now with this new project, Fagan says life is pretty good.
If you see Stella in the community, Constable Fagan says you’re more than welcome to come up and meet her. @VOCMNEWS pic.twitter.com/leyRoGMpzJ
— Ben Murphy (@VOCMBen) July 14, 2020
Fagan was on patrol for ten years on the front lines and says it is difficult for people to understand what first responders experience. She says the things they see are not normal, and they often work with people on the worst day of their lives.
She says they respond to suicides, sudden deaths, intimate partner violence, assaults, and more—which can all be very traumatic for someone if they’re not taking care of themselves.
Constable Fagan reminds people that at the end of the day, we’re all human. She says whether it’s first responders, police, paramedics, or firefighters, they’re all human in how they deal with things.
Regardless of the training they have or how often they experience trauma on a day-to-day basis, Constable Fagan says it’s very hard to come home and leave it at the door.
Fagan says she feels 100 per cent supported by her colleagues at the RNC, and the project wouldn’t have been possible without Chief Joe Boland.
She believes whole-heartedly that Stella is already making a difference for both her and the community.
Meanwhile, Stella still needs to undergo some more training. Right now, Stella and Constable Fagan are doing some basic obedience and socialization training throughout the weeks here in St. John’s.
In Spring 2021, depending on restrictions due to COVID-19, Stella and Fagan will be traveling to Columbus, Ohio, where there is a therapy K-9 school run by the Ohio Police Service.
She’s hopeful to get her certification as an American Kennel Club Good Citizen, which will enable her to attend Provincial and Supreme Court.
As for the impacts Stella will have in the courtroom, Constable Fagan says Stella needs to be laid back.
She says in a courtroom they don’t want any noise or barking. Stella will sit alongside a victim or witness as they tell their story, and Fagan says it will have a huge impact on children or other vulnerable people who are testifying on a very traumatic situation.
