MHPS introduces creative stress-relief method that also accessorizes beloved canine

By Mo Cranker on November 16, 2018.

mcranker@medicinehatnews.com @MHNmocranker

The Medicine Hat Police Service has a new way for people to find a little bit of peace during high-pressure or stressful situations.

The Mulder Ties program was recently created by victim assistance volunteer Carrie Stober and allows children and adults to draw on blank ties with markers during stressful times at court or during an interview with police. Victim assistance dog Mulder is often present during these times and dresses up in the ties after they’re created.

“Mulder was getting so busy earlier this year with calls to court and to spend time with children so we needed more people that could be secondary handlers,” said Stober. “When we were doing our training to be secondary handlers, we wanted to come up with some ideas of things that we could do with him when we were acting as his handler.

“Mulder’s primary handler is Ty Claypool, and with Mulder being a male dog, I thought about it and figured I’d see if we could get some ties for him.”

Mulder is a four-year-old lab and has been with the MHPS for more than two years. He works a standard work week, doing a number different tasks during his shifts. Some of his biggest tasks are sitting in the witness box at court or spending time with a victim’s family.

Drawing is a very common activity, especially for young children, for people to do when spending time with Mulder. Stober says this is a great way for them to be creative and to see him wearing their creation.

“We wanted to create some tangible items that they could design and be creative with,” she said. “Since we started them they’ve really taken off.

“The kids love making them and love seeing Mulder wearing their creations. He’ll walk around the station with the tie on and it shows it off a little.”

The program made its way to social media last week and got a lot of attention. Stober says it is beneficial for both Mulder and the person colouring the tie.

“These can be pretty stressful situations whether it’s at court or an interview with police,” she said. “Sometimes the kid being interviewed just needs to take a break from everything that’s going on — it can be hard on them.

“Sometimes Mulder just needs a break and having the child doing some colouring can free up some time and space for Mulder.”

Stober says the MHPS is hoping to hang the ties in the station so people can see them.

More information on the Victim Assistance Unit can be found online at mhps.ca/posts/post/66

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