SAINT ANTONIO – Neily, is a Rottweiler bull terrier mix and is a huge teddy bear. Neily likes to cuddle and offer kisses, and now he gets to do it as a job as a qualified treatment animal through the regional non-profit Paws for Service.
None of this would’ve been possible without his owner, San Antonio policeman Jason Hoekstra.
“When I was in training at the academy a couple of years ago, Neily showed up on the ground at the street,” Hoekstra said.
“And he was out there for a couple of weeks. I told my wife, I’m like, we got to save that dog.” Hoekstra rescued Neily through the help of the city of San Antonio Animal Care Services.
He nevertheless quickly understood Neily had a calling.
“One day I noticed, you know, I come home after a long day at work and sat down on the couch,” Hoekstra said. “Neily would just kind of sit up next to me and kind of snuggle in. And I thought, man, this dog’s got a purpose.”
After going through weeks of training, Hoekstra and Neily ended up being a qualified volunteer treatment group for Paws for Service.
“It’s wonderful to see him, Hoekstra said.
“So, you know, we walk through the doors that are at our senior facility where we’re assigned and in their faces just light up.”
Hoekstra even takes Neily when a week to SAPD’s wellness center where they check out with officers. He wishes to have the ability to broaden their resolve SAPD and consist of gos to with murder or other systems that see a great deal of injury on the force.
Hoekstra said he has actually constantly liked to offer in his neighborhood, and hopes when individuals see his badge with Neily, it can make a positive connection.
“Present that as an extension of my work, just kind of places a human element to the badge and you know, can help others see that,” Hoekstra said. “We’re humans, we’re individuals too, just like them. And Neily is a is a great conversation starter as well.”
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