County animal control officers complete specialized mental-health first aid training

County animal-services leadership told the court that two officers completed a national mental-health first aid training tailored for animal control professionals, and that the training is rare in Texas. Mark Sloan introduced Officer Lorena OKeefe and said she and another officer completed the 10-hour training and received certificates valid for three years. Mark said the course provides tools to recognize when members of the public involved in hoarding or emergency animal calls are likely experiencing mental-health issues and how to de-escalate or refer to appropriate services; he also described a recent welfare check where the sheriffs office was asked to assist after an officers prior contacts suggested a concern. Commissioners congratulated the officers and requested a commemorative photo; the court acknowledged the training as a proactive step to improve the professionalism and safety of animal-services responses.