COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho — County lockup isn't known for its creature comforts. Though inside Kootenai County's jail hallways there is the chance to come across a comforting creature.
Rocket, the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) therapy dog, has been serving alongside Chaplain John McSwain as part of the office’s peer support team for over a year. He often wanders the halls and office cubicles where he picks up a treat or a hug.
“Most of the time, this is what his job looks like,” McSwain said with a laugh, as Rocket snoozed in his dog bed.
Together, they have supported first responders in high-stress situations, facilitating conversations and promoting mental health. Though Rocket’s impact extends beyond the sheriff’s office.
McSwain says the peer support team will often visit community members in times of trauma; they've offered comfort to victims of the Medical Lake and Elk fires and also meet with the family of employees who are experiencing challenges like hospital stays.
Gerald Heinlein is one of the jail deputies who got to know Rocket while dealing with the stresses on the job. His wife, Brianna, met the 2-year-old Brittany Spaniel in a stressful situation of her own.
At 12 weeks pregnant, her water broke.
“So at 22 weeks we went to Sacred Heart and she lived there for six weeks just trying to stay pregnant," Gerald said.
“It was a lot of living in fear and Gerald had to work through it and he did. He pushed through and John and Rocket were a huge part," Brianna added.
“Yeah, they were a lot of comfort when I really needed it," Gerald said.
Brianna says she was essentially quarantined in her hospital room, with constant visits from physicians and nurses. Though it was a weekly visit from John and Rocket that she says kept her going.
“When Rocket was there, he didn’t know what was going on with me. He wasn’t worried about whether my baby was going to survive—he was just there to be loved," she said. "It was probably one of my favorite parts of every week.”
“When it comes to wellness for our staff, if there’s something that can work shouldn’t we at least try it?” McSwain said.
The chaplain says he has seen Rocket's positive impact from day one.
"We're walking down the hall and some guy goes 'Come here, Rocket, I need some therapy' and I thought he was joking," McSwain said. "I was like, 'Yeah, sarcasm noted.' But he said, 'No I've had a rough night,' and he just hugged Rocket."
This dog with a job is now doggedly pursuing national recognition for his work providing comfort and support to first responders and community members. Though for Rocket the national first responder award and its monetary winnings may not be as welcome a reward as the random dog treat or puppucino he often gets from one employee.
"He works hard, he deserves it," she smiled.
The Heinlein's, including their now one-year-old daughter, Krisalyn, would agree he's earned it.
“Two pounds, three ounces. She was tiny," Gerald said as he swiped through photos of his little girl. "Her diapers were like this big [and] looked like they could fit a Barbie doll.”
“Yeah, she beat all the odds," Brianna smiled.
You can vote for Rocket to win the First Responder Paws Therapy Dog Award through December 4.