NYPD Utilizes Therapy Dogs to Aid Police Officers in Overcoming Traumatic Event after Midtown Shooting Incident
In the wake of the Midtown mass shooting on July 28, 2025, therapy dogs visited the 19th Precinct stationhouse to offer solace and a calming presence to officers still shaken by the event [1][3].
The officers, who responded without a second thought to the tragedy at 345 Park Ave., are still dealing with the horrors of the incident. The therapy dogs served as a form of mental wellness intervention, helping officers manage stress and the psychological impact of responding to life-threatening and tragic situations.
Gloria Gilbert Stoga of Puppies Behind Bars stated that dogs have a unique ability to comfort officers and help them open up and express emotion. Therapy dogs, like those provided by NYPD Health and Wellness, Puppies Behind Bars, and Chief Larry Rotta with his pooch Eddie from the Tuckahoe Police Department, were there to help the officers cope with the aftermath of the mass shooting.
Capt. Julieann Stapleton acknowledged the lasting impact the incident would have on the officers. She further highlighted this by the visit of the therapy dogs, which was intended to address the officers' emotional needs and assist in their recovery from the shock and horror of the shooting.
The therapy dogs were met with warmth by the officers. Some police officers crouched down to pet the therapy dogs, while others allowed them to jump on them and lick their faces. One police officer even asked a therapy dog to tell him a story, which prompted the dog to lay on his legs. Another therapy dog eagerly rushed to greet the police officers, jumping into the arms of a police officer.
The visit was well-received, with Chief John Chell being shaken by the level of death and destruction he witnessed during the incident. However, he was also moved by the impact the therapy dogs had on the officers, stating that they will remember the experience.
The mass shooting claimed four lives, and the officers were praised for their actions during the incident. However, it is clear that the therapy dogs played a crucial role in helping the officers cope with the aftermath of the tragedy.
Organizations like the National Police Dog Foundation spotlight therapy dogs such as K9 Jager, which continue to redefine service by supporting law enforcement officers' mental health in the aftermath of trauma [2]. This use of therapy dogs is part of broader wellness initiatives within police departments to support officers facing the cumulative stresses of their duties.
In conclusion, therapy dogs are proving to be a valuable resource in helping NYPD officers cope with traumatic events like mass shootings. They provide emotional support and comfort, helping to alleviate the mental toll and invisible wounds carried by officers after such incidents.
[1] "Therapy Dogs Visit NYPD Precinct After Mass Shooting." NBC New York, NBCUniversal News Group, 30 July 2025, www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/therapy-dogs-visit-nypd-precinct-after-mass-shooting-345-park-ave-midtown/3276591/.
[2] "National Police Dog Foundation." National Police Dog Foundation, www.nationalpolice dogfoundation.org/.
[3] "Puppies Behind Bars." Puppies Behind Bars, www.puppiesbehindbars.org/.
Therapy dogs, as part of broader wellness initiatives within police departments, are redefining service by supporting officers' mental health in the aftermath of trauma, like K9 Jager from the National Police Dog Foundation. In the wake of the Midtown mass shooting, these therapy dogs, such as those provided by NYPD Health and Wellness, Puppies Behind Bars, and Chief Larry Rotta with his pooch Eddie from the Tuckahoe Police Department, offered solace and a calming presence to the shaken officers, providing mental health assistance as they coped with the tragic event.
