Dog loving kennel assistant enjoying dream job

A Nottinghamshire Police employee has explained how a lifelong love of dogs led her to her dream job.

Kennel Assistant Sophie Hewlett joined the force last year after spending around ten years working for the Ministry of Defence.

Part of a small team based at the Ged Walker Kennels at Police HQ, she is responsible for the wellbeing of all dogs staying in kennels.

It is her job to know everything there is to know about the dogs – from their simple likes and dislikes to their ideal working weights.

She is also responsible for ensuring each animal in her care receives the right food and medication for any minor health conditions they may have.

She said: “I have worked with dogs for a long time and just love them. I always have done ever since I can remember.

“So when the opportunity to come and work with Nottinghamshire Police arose I jumped at the chance.

“Most of the time our dogs will be living with their handlers or on duty, but when they come into the kennels we really get to know them and they get to know us. As a result we form a really close bond with them.”

Nottinghamshire Police currently employs a team of 26 police dogs – a mixture of general purpose animals and specialist sniffer dogs trained to detect drugs, cash and firearms.

The dogs live day-to-day with the their handlers, but will come into kennels when their handlers go on leave, training, or are otherwise unavailable.

Sophie added: “I really can't imagine waking up in the morning and not being surrounded by the dogs. I just love them to bits and I can’t imagine doing anything else.

“I know there's so many jobs here in Nottinghamshire, but I think most people would say that working with the dogs is the dream job.”

For more information about working with Nottinghamshire Police please visit www.notts.police.uk/careers