Posted by Lieutenant Eleyr of House Em’ujo (Chief of Keeping Our Brains Healthy (CNS)) in Let’s Try this Again (TAG CNS)

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Brenna Neenna Atoded (Chief of Pets(COP)-2O-CIO) in Let’s Try this Again (TAG CNS)

Posted by Lieutenant Eleyr of House Em’ujo (Chief of Keeping Our Brains Healthy (CNS)) in Let’s Try this Again (TAG CNS)
Posted by… suppressed (2) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip!)
“It’s an experiment. Constellation was chosen because of the crew size, available space, and our long term missions. The big to-dos back at Star Fleet medical thought having a pet would ease some of the mental strain on the crew from being gone for so long. I enjoy it. There are a lot of animals to keep up with, and lots of problem solving to be addressed. I was chosen for my background in counseling, to determine how the animals affected mental health and morale. I’m really glad you are here now, so we can collaborate. However they didn’t take into account that having that many animals on board required a staff of more than just 1. We also desperately need a vet with this many animals on board. But it does have its perks. I get to play with puppies all day.” Brenna grinned. She loved animals and unlike most Betazoids she enjoyed being around them and interacting with them. Their instincts never seemed to overwhelm her, unless she was very tired.

Atoded, CoP

“And what associations have you drawn between animals and the crew’s mental health?” Eleyr leaned back and snatched her spikey mug from the table, ‘stealthily’ endeavouring to mask the zeal touching her golden eyes at the thought of collaboration. Truthfully, she’d never had an animal companion. Her mother’s unpredictable assignments and ex-wife’s great disdain of anything with four legs left her companionless. She played with her brother’s pet targ, Kaz, and watched folks frolic with their four-legged friends in Golden Gate Park. But it wasn’t the same. Catching her mind adrift, Eleyr quickly dismissed the thought and returned her undivided attention to Brenna. “Although playing with puppies makes for a delightful pastime, you mentioned the work is a lot for one person.” Eleyr’s lips curved into a characteristic grin. “What would help ease to load for you? Beyond an animal doctor, of course.”

— Eleyr, CNS

Brenna shrugged, “There is a great deal of old research from Earth about the benefits of animals on mental health. And many other species have similar research. Even among us Betzoids. Even though we tend to shy away from forming attachments to larger animals we have been using Betazoid cats for centuries to help those with mental illness.” Brenna sat back, “There seems to be benefits, the crew overall seems more at ease. But as a long term program across the fleets I’m not sure command has considered the support needed for ships to provide accommodations for that many animals. As for support, I do, I hope, a fairly good job of matching animals to crew, but it would be nice to have someone else to assist with making matches. Then there is the physical infrastructure, which requires engineering. Someone certified to train animals would be huge too. But it’s just a test program so…”

Atoded, CoP

“You have the scientific evidence,” Eleyr waggled an encompassing talon at the wall, “now you need the technical. With both, I’m confident Command will at least consider your proposal.” She didn’t need scatterplots nor mindnumbing publications to authenticate Brenna’s remark. Both the ancient and modern studies Atoted mentioned demonstrated a positive correlation. Of course, most were conducted planetside and on narrow and isolated pools. But what discouraged similar results in space and across species? Wasn’t observation the first step in replication? Alas, Eleyr was a doctor, not a researcher.

“Well it’s not my project. I was assigned to it, but the data and research is being analyzed elsewhere but people who like to do those sorts of things. But it has been fun.” Brenna grinned. “We need to get you in to pick your pet.”

“My pet?” Eleyr echoed, delighted. What animal would she befriend? A fierce, high-spirited redbat with a thirst for adventure? What about a hedgehog with beady black eyes and deceivingly adorable spikes? A targ? Eleyr always appreciated the filth and loyalty of Qo’noS’ resident destructor boar. So long as they weren’t an eight-legged, bloodthirsty fiend plotting her untimely demise, Eleyr would relish a companion. “When did you have in mind?”

“As soon as you want to arrive. I was ordered to take 5 days off, but I don’t consider that work. It’s fun and relaxing.”

“You are a capable person,” Eleyr took in a slow and thoughtful breath, “but that is more than anyone should handle alone.” Thought wrinkled the Klingon’s temples and warped her tireless smirk into a frown. “You mentioned a passion for teaching,” Eleyr noted. “Have you considered volunteers? I am sure many would jump at the opportunity to work with animals in their downtime… maybe spark an interest in animal welfare or the art of matchmaking.” Support from volunteers didn’t guarantee the same success as professionals, but Eleyr trusted their passion and dedication would be indistinguishable. Besides, it was much easier to corral a few zealous NEs than convince new folks to climb aboard.

— Eleyr, CNS

Brenna blinked. She must be more tired than she thought. She should have thought of that herself. “That…is an excellent idea. And I feel a little out of sorts I didn’t think of that. But to add on…what do you think of ‘puppy’ therapy?”

Atoded, CoP

“Sometimes the simplest answers are the hardest to see from the inside,” Eleyr reassured. “Animals make honourable companions who offer eternal love and loyalty to their masters. That love aids warriors in mental, physical and spiritual battles. We may be trained in psychology, but our words are paltry to a puppy’s tail wag.” The psychiatrist waved a dismissive hand, “but… more importantly, what do you think about puppy therapy?”

— Eleyr, CNS

“Puppy therapy is amazing and I partake every day. There is absolutely no way to resist a pack of wiggling happy chaotic puppies. No matter how much you might want to. They are determined.” Brenna laughed softly from her floor pillow. “Come to think of it that’s exactly what I was doing when Richard arrived. Playing with puppies.”

Atoded, CoP