Virginia State Police welcome furry four-legged friend

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The Virginia State Police welcomed a new addition to the team -- and this particular one comes with four legs and a little extra hair.

Vadar has officially joined the Virginia State Police and will support the Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) team within the department's wellness program.

This specially trained Labrador retriever's job is to help reduce stress and anxiety among individuals, specifically in the aftermath of a traumatic incident, according to state police.

Vadar was donated to the state police through Mutts With A Mission, a non-profit, Virginia Beach-based organization accredited by Assistance Dogs International (ADI). Mutts with a Mission specializes in training both facility and service dogs to serve veterans, wounded soldiers and first responders.

Virginia State Police welcome their newest member to the team, Vadar: Photo courtesy of Virginia State Police

According to state police, studies have shown that police officers experience higher rates of trauma exposure than the general population. This has reinforced the need for wellness initiatives and support tools for officers.

"Facility dogs, like Vader, are one way to help address these challenges and promote officer resilience," state police said.

Over the last two years, police said that Vadar has undergone "extensive training, successfully completing both the ADI Public Access Test and Skills Test."

The certifications allow Vadar to collaborate with the CISM team on critical incident stress debriefings, one-on-one sessions and other environments where his presence can "ease anxiety and help open the door to meaningful conversations," per a release.

"Mutts with a Mission selected Vader specifically for the Virginia State Police due to his calm temperament, attentiveness, and ability to adapt quickly to a high-stress environment," the press release reads.