If you spot Ares – an energetic, 16-month-old black and silver German shepherd – on campus, stop and say hi.
Ares is the newest member of the University of Nebraska Police and Public Safety Department and its first therapy K9.
Today (May 1), Ares will begin routine patrolling the UNMC campus with UNPPSD Officer Sean Sommer who, after 30 years of law enforcement experience, has turned his attention to enhancing peer-to-peer support with his first therapy work dog.
“He’s the most loving German shepherd you’ll ever meet,” Officer Sommer said. “He’s had basic and advanced obedience training, but he’s still a puppy and gets a little excited in new environments.”
Law enforcement officers are increasingly turning to therapy K9s, Sommer said, to provide compassionate emotional support, reduce anxiety in high-stress environments and build bonds between law enforcement and the community.
In May, the duo will travel to Franklin County, Ohio, to complete Ares’ law enforcement training certifications, which involves a weeklong, 40-hour training course.
“Compassion and service to the community come in many forms,” said Charlotte Evans, chief of police and associate vice chancellor for public safety. “Today, we welcome a new kind of hero to our department – one with soft fur, gentle eyes, a wagging tail and a heart devoted to lifting spirits. Adding Ares to our team reflects our mission to show that protecting and serving isn’t only about enforcing the law, but also about building trust, offering comfort and strengthening the bond between our officers and the community we proudly serve.”
On a sunny Friday morning, Ares’ sat obediently by Officer Sommer’s side, his ears perked as students strolled the Bill and Ruth Scott Student Plaza at UNMC. At times, he rolled in the grass and tugged playfully on his leash, reminding Sommer he’s still a puppy-in-training. Minutes later, the two were surrounded by curious students as they walked through the Sorrell Center.
“Therapy K9s are dogs for the good guys,” said Officer Sommer, acknowledging individuals are more apt to approach officers with therapy K9s. “They come up and say ‘Hi’ and ‘Can I pet the dog?’ They feel more comfortable approaching us then they would otherwise.”
UNMC’s JoJo Fett, a physician assistant student in the UNMC College of Allied Health Professions, quickly befriended Ares while he was visiting the Sorrell Center. “He’ll bring a lot of joy to campus,” she said while scratching his back.
“I see Ares as a tool to put in my public safety toolbox,” Officer Sommer said. “We’ll go anywhere he can make a difference.”