For the first time ever, the Brussels-Capital/Ixelles police force will have a "listening dog", Bruzz reports. Lucky, a two-ear-old golden retriever, will help the police when interrogating victims with traumatic experiences.
The dog will assist the Victim Support Service and at police events and was trained for two years by the host family Tonnon, together with educator Sophie De Valensart at Os'mose. For his training, Lucky went to crowded places with lots of noise, people and animals. He went to restaurants, theater and film shows, concerts, supermarkets and often took public transport. "This is one of the training courses to let the dog remain calm in all circumstances," said De Valensart.
"It really is an extraordinary dog,” said Vincent Tonnon, adding that "it's hard to let him go." Inspector Emy Maerens will now take him in and train him further. "It was an instant match between Emy and Lucky," says Vincent Tonnon.
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Lucky. Credit: Brussels Police
The idea for a listening dog followed an initiative to boost staff involvement and improve the quality of citizen services. "I had been toying with the idea of calming victims with a dog for some time," Maerens admits. Previously, only the police force in the Brussels-North zone had a listening dog.
A popular dog
Lucky has been an instant hit since first entering the police force a few weeks ago and has been of great added value to the interrogation of victims. "Traumatized people face enormous stress during an interrogation and often experience everything again by telling their story. Here Lucky can ease the tension a bit. He can put the victim at ease and let them become familiar with the environment," said Ilse Van de keere, spokesperson for the Brussels-Capital/Ixelles police zone.
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Lucky will also be present at police events to create a stronger bond between citizens and the police. The police force itself can feel the change: Van de keere herself is normally afraid of dogs but has no issues with Lucky. "Lucky is approachable and sweet to everyone. But we are of course especially happy that we can help victims who have often been through a lot with Lucky's vigilance."