A new four-legged recruit has joined North Wales Police to build relationships in the community and support staff wellbeing.

Little 11-week-old Cockapoo puppy Nansi will be putting her best paw forward as part of a pilot scheme being run in the western area of the force.

Nansi has joined the team via the national Oskar Kilo 9 Wellbeing Programme as a wellbeing dog.

The Oscar Kilo Wellbeing and Trauma Support Dogs service aims to make wellbeing dogs available to all police forces, who wish to introduce a dog as part of their wellbeing provision; wellbeing dogs are introduced after officers have dealt with traumatic or stressful circumstances, or as part of a de-briefing process.

Sergeant Non Edwards, who is leading on the pilot scheme for North Wales Police said: “Nansi is the first Wellbeing and Community Engagement Dog for North Wales Police and she will form part of a 12 month pilot scheme looking at officer and staff wellbeing as well as part of our community engagement strategy to help break down barriers with hard to reach communities.

“Police officers and staff do a demanding and sometimes dangerous job, and in many roles are frequently exposed to trauma. There is plenty of evidence proving the physical benefits of having a dog, however emerging research clearly shows the many ways in which dogs can provide support with mental health by creating a sense of calm, improving daily emotional and psychological stresses and helping people to deal with the impact of a traumatic event.

Chief Constable Carl Foulkes said: “Wellbeing is incredibly important.

“It is hoped introducing Nansi to the team will result in better support for officers and staff resulting in less sickness through to early intervention and support being given. I’m sure she will have a positive impact on everyone around her, she is a delight and we are so proud that we are part of this worthwhile initiative.”