A pawsitive boost: therapy dog visit brings relief to Main Jail staff
In a new and heartwarming effort to support employee wellness, the Santa Clara County Main Jail welcomed two very special visitors—a therapy dog and her handler from the First Responder Therapy Dogs organization. The visit is part of the latest wellness initiative aimed at offering emotional support to custody staff who operate in one of the County’s most high-stress environments.
Lena Strickling and her dog, Birdie, stopped by the jail as part of First Responder Wellness Week in late March. Their visit brought visible relief and joy to many employees, reminding everyone of the power of small, positive interactions in challenging workplaces.
“The day the therapy dogs came, I was coming off a long shift at the end of an even longer week,” shared Deputy Beverly Kao. “But when I saw Birdie, I immediately felt myself brighten. I hadn’t realized how much stress I was carrying. Just a few minutes with her helped restore my energy—I left work breathing easier and much more relaxed.”
Deputy Jacob Flores echoed the sentiment, saying, “Interacting and petting Birdie allowed me to decompress, recharge, and improved my overall mood. A big thank you to First Responder Therapy Dogs for brightening our day.”
The visit was organized by Sgt. David Dominguez with the help of Wellness Coordinator Danielle Kawash, who emphasized the Sheriff’s Office’s ongoing commitment to supporting deputies and staff in holistic and meaningful ways.
“Research shows that therapy dogs can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and elevate mood,” said Kawash. “Not everyone responds to traditional therapy, which is why we’re creating a wide variety of wellness options—from exercise challenges and wellness rooms to onsite sports medicine and mental health support. The more creative we get, the healthier our personnel will be, and the safer our community becomes.”
Bringing Birdie and Lena to Main Jail aligns closely with the mission of First Responder Therapy Dogs: to lead the way in addressing the mental health needs of first responders by providing emotional support through trained therapy dogs. The organization proudly offers this service free of charge, aiming to reach as many first responders across the country as possible.
The visit also coincided with the launch of the Main Jail’s new Wellness Room, a space designed for decompression and recharging. Still in development, the room currently features free-standing arcade game systems donated by Lt. Herbie Dela Cruz and will continue to evolve as a relaxation hub for staff.
“As we approached First Responder Wellness Week, we wanted to give our staff ways to decompress from the daily pressures of working in a correctional environment,” said Sgt. Dominguez. “Even deputies known for their tough exteriors were visibly moved by Birdie’s visit. The energy and joy Lena and Birdie brought were deeply appreciated by everyone.”
The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office thanks First Responder Therapy Dogs for its ongoing support and looks forward to more visits in the future.