Charlee, a Bernedoodle, alongside School Resource Officer Doug Walters, spends her weekdays in the hallways and classrooms of Bellefontaine High School.
Therapy dogs do a lot for those around them. They encourage people who need it and support those who are stressed in tragic situations.
BHS Therapy Dog Charlee is officially a First-Responder Crisis-Intervention K-9. Three years of training and practice went into achieving this status.
During her extensive schooling, she received her K9 Good Citizens Training at the Dependable Companions Dog Training Center.
S.R.O. Doug Walters sits with ‘Charlee’ Bellefontaine High School’s First Responder Therapy K9. (NIKKI BURKHAMER | THE CHRONICLE)
Nikki Carpenter, trainer and owner of the facility, said, “In the beginning, Charlee was shy, but as she kept coming to class, and with practice and continued teamwork, her personality began to shine.”
Several different classes are available at Dependable Companions. For more information, go to dependablecompanions.com.
Even with this extensive training, there are still dangerous situations she could get into.
“Charlee could come across something while she is sniffing around. She could be giving care to someone who could hurt her, or she could be playing and get hurt,” Walters explained.
If she was helping to soothe victims at a fire scene, for instance, she could come across a damaging substance then as well.
Protecting Canine Heroes, an organization out of Indiana, sends lifesaving kits to police, rescue, and military dogs all around the United States. The kits can include ballistic vests, Narcan, trauma kits, Rex Specs Goggles and more.
Officer Walters remains aware of the hazards that she could encounter, and when he saw an opportunity to further shield her on the Protecting Canine Heroes Facebook page, he took it.
“I saw this on social media, I applied for it, and they sent the kit to us,” Walters explained.
The kit will help Charlee to be prepared in case something happens when she is doing her job to help the kids at BHS or with first responders out on a scene.
“If she were to get hurt, she has everything that she needs to make sure she is taken care of. We are grateful for Protecting Canine Heroes. We just can’t thank them enough for what they do,” Walters shared.
(Editor’s note: This story was updated and corrected to reflect that K9 Charlee is not a narcotics dog, as was incorrectly shared in a previous version.)
