What it is
The wellbeing outreach services are some of the most visible and valued offers from the National Police Wellbeing Service (NPWS). They takes support directly to officers and staff - where they are, when they need it most. Recognising the unpredictable and high-pressure nature of policing, the service provides mobile, compassionate, and practical support across all forces in England and Wales.
At the heart of the offer are two flagship initiatives: our OK9 Wellbeing dogs and our fleet of wellbeing vans. Together, they help to normalise conversations about mental health, offer immediate support, and create environments that promote trust, openness, and emotional resilience.
Wellbeing dogs
Therapy dogs have been shown to help reduce stress and anxiety. In a policing context, our wellbeing dogs - always accompanied by trained handlers with mental health first aid or peer support training - provide a safe and approachable point of connection.
These informal visits offer more than a moment of comfort. They help open up conversations, reduce stigma, and create a bridge to more formal sources of support if needed.
OK9 handlers and wellbeing dogs are frequently used for post incident debriefs, Defuse, TRiM and other interventions and they help to encourage participation and engagement.
Wellbeing dogs are now commonly used to support training when the subject matter is difficult such as the investigation of child deaths, disaster victim identification and recovery and other training where trauma, death and abuse are part of the learning process.
Both wellbeing vans and wellbeing dogs are available nationally in the event of a serious incident to provide follow up support to those affected.
Wellbeing vans
The NPWS fleet of wellbeing vans brings frontline support straight to the places it’s needed most. These mobile units provide access to:
- Physical health checks
- Fatigue assessments
- Trauma support
- General wellbeing advice
The vans are deployed to major public events, critical incidents, and operational hotspots, ensuring officers and staff can get the support they need without stepping away from the frontline. Their presence is both practical and symbolic - a visible sign that wellbeing matters.
Why it matters
Access to support should never depend on being in the right place at the right time. The outreach services remove those barriers by bringing wellbeing into the working environment.
Whether it's a visit from a wellbeing dog or the arrival of a wellbeing van, these services often represent the first step on someone’s support journey - delivered in a way that feels approachable and human, not clinical or formal.
The service also contributes to post-incident recovery, fatigue mitigation, and general morale. It reinforces the message that wellbeing isn’t an add-on - it’s a priority, and a core part of how modern policing supports its people.
This is enhanced practice in action: responsive, compassionate, and integrated into the day-to-day realities of policing.
OK9 wellbeing and trauma support dogs
Wellbeing vans
Or, visit other sections in our workforce prioritisation guidance: