A stray dog has a new lease (or should we say “leash”?) on life thanks to a police officer who took him under his wing. Neily, a Rottweiler Bull Terrier mix, went from life on the streets to becoming a certified therapy animal.
Police officer saves stray dog
San Antonio police officer Jason Hoekstra found Neily. Two years ago, the cop was training at the local police academy and kept noticing the dog over a period of a couple of weeks.
“I told my wife, I’m like, we got to save that dog,” Hoekstra told KSAT news. With assistance from the city of San Antonio Animal Care Services, Hoekstra was able to do just that. Then, the officer brought him home. Soon, a soft side to the pup’s personality emerged. Neily loved to snuggle and give kisses.
“One day I noticed, you know, I come home after a long day at work and sat down on the couch,” Hoekstra said. “Neily would just kind of sit up next to me and kind of snuggle in. And I thought, man, this dog’s got a purpose.”
Dog trains as therapy animal
Hoekstra partnered with non-profit Paws for Service to train Neily as a therapy animal. Several weeks of training later, the pup became a certified volunteer therapy team member.
“It’s wonderful to see him,” Hoekstra said. “So, you know, we walk through the doors that are at our senior facility where we’re assigned and their faces just light up.”
Additionally, once a week, Neily makes another stop: SAPD’s wellness center. There, the pup spends quality time with police officers, particularly those who have worked in homicide or similar units where trauma is, unfortunately, an occupational hazard.
Furthermore, by volunteering with Neily while wearing his badge, Hoekstra says it makes positive associations with what is sometimes a controversial profession.
“Present that as an extension of my work, just kind of places a human element to the badge and you know, can help others see that,” Hoekstra said. “We’re humans, we’re individuals too, just like them. And Neily is a is a great conversation starter as well.”
Wondering what the differences are between working, service, therapy, and emotional support animals? Check out this guide where we’ve broken it all down for you.
