The U.S. Capitol Police Are Adding An Emotional Support Dog To The Force

[Diamond_Dog]

Two-year-old Lila, a black Labrador retriever, will serve as the department's full-time emotional support animal.

"We are thrilled to welcome the newest member of our Department!" the announcement said.

Lila joins the force several months after the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol. The chaos of that day left more than 100 officers injured.

Officers have reported stress, anxiety and other emotional issues following the insurrection. They've also complained of not having enough support from the department — as well as lawmakers they protect.

USCP Officer Brian Sicknick died the day after the Jan. 6 riot from natural causes after suffering strokes. Two other officers, one from the Capitol Police and another from the D.C. police, died by suicide days after.

https://www.npr.org/2021/06/10/1004996551/the-u-s-capitol-police-are-adding-an-emotional-support-dog-to-the-force

[I_UndergroundPanther]

1. Othello is my emotional support cat

I dunno what I would do without him in a crisis. And yeah when I go out he goes with me a lot of the time in his catsack.

Emotional support animals really do help.

[BigmanPigman]

2. I think they may need more than one dog.

Personally, for me every dog is an emotional support dog. One warm kiss from a dog is a miracle cure.