Joining Andy and Nathan in the studio is Gary Botterill and Clare Nicholls, two extraordinary leaders using dogs to transform mental health support in emergency services.

Gary Botterill is a Royal Navy veteran and former police officer of nearly 30 years. He co-developed the Backup Buddy police mental health app, founded Service Dogs UK after a Churchill Fellowship researching PTSD assistance dogs, and now leads the award-winning Oscar Kilo OK9 Wellbeing and Trauma Support Dogs programme through the National Police Wellbeing Service. Gary’s work brings trained dogs into police forces to reduce stigma, provide comfort, and open vital conversations about mental health.

Clare Nicholls, after 18 years in policing, has seen firsthand the importance of intentional wellbeing and human connection. Alongside her calm and loyal pup, Emmie, she supports colleagues as an OK9 Handler and Lead for Surrey & Sussex, sharing stories, smiles, and the power of a wagging tail to create safe spaces and spark meaningful conversations.

Together, they discuss the incredible impact dogs have on mental health and wellbeing, the science behind their calming effects, and the power of grassroots initiatives like OK9 to change culture in high-stress professions. Through personal stories and experiences, this episode emphasizes community, peer support, and hope, showing that sometimes, healing begins with connection… and a four-legged friend.

For more information on what has been discussed in today’s episode please head to the below links:

https://www.oscarkilo.org.uk/services/wellbeing-dogs

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Joining Andy and Nathan are Miranda Bailey and Sam Murray to explore the transformative impact of breathwork, particularly within high-stress professions like policing.

They dive into the work being done through Breath Connection, an initiative combining breathwork practices and cold water therapy to support mental health, emotional regulation, and resilience. From practical techniques you can integrate into daily life, to the deeper physiological and psychological shifts that come from consistent practice, this episode bridges science, lived experience, and community impact.

The discussion highlights how simple tools like conscious breathing, cold exposure, and time in nature, can dramatically improve wellbeing. More than that, it reframes breathwork not just as a personal development tool, but as a pathway to compassion, empathy, and stronger community connection.

This is a conversation about regulation in chaotic environments, about self-care as service, and about creating space to breathe, literally and emotionally.

For more information on what has been discussed in today’s episode please head to the below links:

The Breath Connection

This podcast is proudly sponsored by Police Mutual, which supports the police family with wellbeing, financial, and practical support, while recognising extraordinary bravery across the UK. To find out more, please head to https://www.policemutual.co.uk/

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In this episode Andy and Nathan explore well-being in emergency services with Julia Wellby (National Emergencies Trust) and Emma (CEO of Blue Light Card Foundation).

Julia brings 31 years of policing experience, including Counter Terrorism Command and Family Liaison roles for major international and domestic crises. Emma has extensive non-profit expertise, securing millions in funding to support blue light workers and carrying a personal connection to emergency services through her family.

Together, they discuss innovative programs, cultural shifts, and community support that make mental health initiatives effective, practical, and meaningful for those in high-stress roles.

For more information on what has been discussed in today’s episode please head to the below links:

https://bluelightcardfoundation.org/

https://nationalemergenciestrust.org.uk/home

Download the ResetU App: https://resetu.co.uk/

This podcast is proudly sponsored by Police Mutual, which supports the police family with wellbeing, financial, and practical support, while recognising extraordinary bravery across the UK. To find out more, please head to https://www.policemutual.co.uk/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.