National Police Association Podcast with Guest, Janeen Baggette, Founder/Chairman at K9s For Freedom & Independence

In this compelling episode, Sergeant Betsy Brantner Smith speaks with Janeen Baggette, a former combat aerovac medic, veteran law enforcement officer, and expert canine handler. Janeen founded K9s for Freedom, an innovative organization utilizing highly-trained dogs to support first responders dealing with trauma, stress, and critical incidents.Key Topics Discussed:Janeen's Background: Janeen shares her journey from military medic to law enforcement, highlighting her passion for canine work. She details her extensive experience working with search and rescue dogs, narcotics detection dogs, and explosive detection dogs.Transitioning to Mental Health: Janeen explains her transition into the mental health space, driven by her own experiences and observations of trauma among military and first responder personnel. She emphasizes the therapeutic power of dogs in helping responders cope with critical incidents and PTSD.Innovative Stress Detection: Janeen reveals that K9s for Freedom pioneered cortisol detection training, enabling dogs to identify the most stressed individuals in critical situations. She shares impactful stories illustrating how these dogs have intervened effectively in crisis situations, from preventing suicide attempts to comforting trauma-affected children.