Date of Award

2023

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Health Science

Department

Applied Health Science

Abstract

This study aimed to understand and relay the phenomenon of stress in K9 officers compared to before they took on the additional responsibilities of becoming K9 officers and the rewards that come with their position. Qualitative semi-structured interviews with K9 officers was the tool used to collect and analyze the data. Research questions began with basic demographic information and transitioned into lifestyle and stress-related questions. Eight K9 officers representing state troopers, county sheriff deputies, and city officers participated in the interviews where data saturation was obtained. After the data were coded and analyzed, five distinct themes emerged: family life, extra responsibilities, stress, K9 interaction, and coping. These themes, discussed in detail in chapter 4, were analogous to each officer, just told in different ways. Findings of family life happened to be the only theme with a variation. Most officers incorporate their K9 partner into their family life, while one seasoned officer insists that the K9 needed separation from the family to distinguish work from relaxing and being a dog. The extra responsibilities of being a K9 officer are numerous and time-consuming, yet necessary to be a successful team at enforcing the law. All officers agreed the stress is greatly increased when becoming a K9 officer, not only because of being responsible for the safety of yourself and your K9 but because being the K9 officer on scene turns all eyes towards them. If the call turns out favorably, all attention will be on the success of the training of the K9 team. On the other side, not all deployments of K9s are successful, especially tracking due to multiple environmental scenarios. All officers interacted with their K9s by talking to them and connecting physically with them, through playing ball, training, or walking together. The verbal or physical contact was reassuring to the officers and creates a special bond that helps the officers after tough calls, after shifts, and in preparation for calls they are en route to. In all, the stress of the position of being a K9 officer was balanced with the satisfaction of their bond and love of their partner.

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