Today we’d like to introduce you to Karla Jacobs.
Hi Karla, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
I am the handler for a 2-year-old rescued Catahoula Leopard dog named Coco. She is the First Responder Therapy Dog for Delaware County. I was approached by the Delaware County Administrator (at the time) in January of 2020 about the county wanting to get a therapy dog. The purpose being for it to be on the peer support team, and to support the first responders in the county. This had never been done before in Delaware County and was something we had not heard of being done in other counties in the state. I was hesitant as Coco was a 4-month-old puppy, I had just lost my dog 6 months prior, and I wasn’t sure how it would be received. I went to meet Coco at Come Sit and Stay Kennel in Union County. They took her in as a rescue from a not-so-great breeding situation in Kentucky. She sat in my lap, licked my face, and I knew I had a new puppy to care for now.
Coco comes to work with me at the 911 Center as that is my full-time job. The dispatchers enjoy having her in the center, as they spoil her, and like to play with her during downtime. On my off days, or my non 12 hour days I take Coco to go visit the Fire/EMS/Police stations, and Ohio Health Grady Memorial Hospital ER. We have also been requested to visit other Delaware County departments, and agencies outside of Delaware County as they don’t have a dog like Coco. She is not a service dog and does not perform tasks. She is strictly a therapy dog to provide relief to those that are anxious, offer affection, comfort, and provide a happy distraction. First responders have hard jobs, so any distraction for them that is positive, is a good one, especially if it’s a dog. Dogs are sensitive to human stress, anxiety, depression, and negative energy via smell. She does not respond to scenes or locations of incidents. Her main priority is for first responders, but we have gone to schools after traumatic incidents, and to other counties to help with peer support after incidents they have had. We do public relation events to get the word out about her, and what she does. I will take her to anyone who requests her if possible, as long as it doesn’t conflict with my work schedule. My Director Patrick Brandt has been very supportive of Coco, as he was very leery in the beginning of how this would work out. I definitely couldn’t go all the places I go with her without having a boss who supports her mission. He will even cover my shifts in the 911 Center if necessary, and I have the help from other Supervisors if there is somewhere she needs to go or is requested.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
She was a puppy, and that in itself was a challenge, especially with 2 cats in my home, but we made it. She is an active dog, but not crazy active like the typical Catahoula. I sent her to a 3-week board and train at Homestead Dogs, as my schedule made it very difficult to go the normal route with therapy dog training. She had already been worked with on some skills at Come Sit and Stay kennel prior to me taking possession of her, which made some things a little easier. They are wonderful people, she loves it there, and they are really good to Coco and I. Coco still goes to Come Sit and Stay for daycare to just be a dog, and release what she absorbs. Just as humans absorb stress, dogs do as well, and they have to have an outlet.
Also starting out it was not a smooth road as I found out after I agreed to take on this task of the puppy, that Delaware County was not going to fund her. I was told I would need to seek donations for everything. The 911 Center is funded by a tax levy, so those monies couldn’t be used, and money would not be taken out of Delaware County’s general fund for her. While frustrated, I said ok, I can do this. I have many good working relationships within the county, and I felt confident I could get some support for Coco. I am not able to solicit any donations, but I did approach the fire and EMS department unions in the county. I told them about Coco, what her ultimate purpose would be, and what I envisioned for her. I took her on visits so they could meet her, and people really liked her. They asked what I needed, I told them, then the word started spreading. I needed funding for vet costs, training, a vest, supplies, and anything that comes with raising a dog. I had some private donors sent my way, donations from some fire department unions, and Delaware County EMS’ union to get the ball rolling. Coco became “official” September 1, 2020. Since then, I have had t-shirt fundraisers, a donation from Performance Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram in Delaware, Delaware County EMS union again, and private donations to keep things going with Coco. Even if I didn’t have that donated money to provide her with what she needs, I’d still do it, because I see what a difference she makes, and it truly makes me happy when she makes people smile with her silliness.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I was born and raised in Delaware, Ohio. I have been a 911 Dispatcher for Delaware County for 25 years, and a supervisor for the past 22 years. I am also a certified firefighter/EMT-B. I got into the fire/ems side of things in 1999 as I wanted to also be on the other end of the calls I was taking. Having that experience has helped me as a dispatcher to have that perspective or what happens on the other end of the radio as well. I absolutely love being busy, and in the middle of chaos in the dispatch room. I love my job as multi-tasking is my specialty, and making sure everyone goes home safe is my goal. I have met some amazing people since taking on this role of dog handler, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. The networking with other K9 handlers, and supporters is a big family. I have met so many kind, and generous people because of Coco.
Coco and I are also on the first responder peer support team for Delaware County, and we help with Ohio Assist (an organization that helps first responders with trauma and PTSD). I became a peer for both after wanting to give back after my own traumatic incident. There is a need for mental health support for first responders as it isn’t talked about like it should be. I am very proud to be a part of how Delaware County is paving the way for first responders to get the mental help they might need. The peer support team, along with a new wellness ap called Cordico is available to almost all first responders in Delaware County. It is just beginning of the kind of support they need, and not had access to before. Being a first responder is a very hard job, as we all just move onto the next phone call, the next run, the next traumatic incident. It gets to a point that our backpacks just get too full, and it’s ok to ask for help. It’s ok to not be ok, and that shouldn’t make people feel shameful.
We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I am a certified Baptiste yoga instructor.
Contact Info:
- Email: kjacobs@co.delaware.oh.us
- Website: https://emergencycomms.co.delaware.oh.us/therapy-dog/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/delcoco911/?igshid=15df127dfzjwf
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DelCoco911-104888531385866
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/delcoco911?s=11
