A German shepherd named Nya has become the first registered therapy dog to be employed by a UK train operator, as TransPennine Express (TPE) officially brings her on board to support passengers and staff.
Nya’s role at TransPennine Express
Nya, now six years old, accompanies her owner Stephen O’Callaghan, who works as TPE’s safeguarding and crime prevention lead, across the rail network. She attends events and stations to raise awareness of mental health support, offering what the company calls a “tail-wagging welcome”. Her presence is intended to reduce the stress and anxiety many people feel when travelling, combat feelings of depression, and encourage social interaction. TPE has described her as a “key part of the customer service pack”.
Nya was registered with the charity Pets As Therapy (PAT) in December and qualified the following month. The charity, established in 1983, brings therapy animals into hospitals, care homes, hospices, schools, prisons and other community settings. Her official role with TPE began around May of last year.
How Nya helps reduce passenger anxiety and mental health struggles
According to Stephen O’Callaghan, many people experience anxiety about travelling. “She can help with that and with feelings of depression,” he said. Anecdotal evidence from events supports this: at one, a woman struggling with low mood spent 20 minutes with Nya. “Just rolling on the floor, stroking her, cuddling her,” Stephen recalled. Afterward, the woman said the interaction “really helped to break her negative chain of thoughts”.
Beyond individual stories, research indicates that petting dogs can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, slow heart rates, reduce muscle tension and make breathing more regular. Therapy dog visits have been shown to reduce pain, anxiety and depression while increasing feelings of wellbeing. German shepherds, Stephen noted, are particularly suited to therapy and emotional support roles because of their intelligence, trainability and affectionate nature. “They can sense anxiety and provide comfort during difficult times,” he said.
TPE has embedded Nya within a wider commitment to mental health. The company operates a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme for staff and their families, provides a dedicated Mental Health Guide, and has trained Mental Health First Aiders across the business. It runs internal and external training courses on spotting signs of mental illness and offering support. Partnerships with charities such as Andy’s Man Club, initiatives like “Move for your Mind” during Mental Health Awareness Week, and “Move Ambassadors” who promote physical activity for mental wellbeing are all part of the company’s approach. TPE has also joined the TravelSafe Partnership in Greater Manchester — a collaboration with transport operators, local authorities and police to tackle crime, antisocial behaviour and fare evasion — and has worked on campaigns such as White Ribbon Day to raise awareness of violence against women and girls. Additionally, the company has partnered with the Campaign to End Loneliness, introducing weekly newsletters, e-learning modules for new starters, and “chatty benches” at stations to encourage social interaction.
The owner’s personal connection
Stephen O’Callaghan, a former police officer with 20 years of service, said the difficult situations he encountered during his policing career “definitely took its toll”. That experience, he explained, motivated him to help others by training Nya as a therapy dog. “I wanted to help other people,” he said.
The bond between owner and dog is strong. “We have a really strong bond; we can read each other’s energy,” Stephen said. “It’s nice to have someone miss me when I leave the room – she’s like my little shadow.” Nya also helps Stephen personally. “Taking her out for a walk helps me switch off – it keeps me grounded and lowers the feelings of anxiety that I get sometimes,” he said. “Nya’s helped me before when I’ve been feeling down.”
Nya’s wolf-like appearance draws attention wherever they go. “People always come up to us whenever we’re out because of this, so she’s like a celebrity,” Stephen said. She performs tricks including walking or running between his legs on command, spinning, rolling and jumping up with both paws. At a school presentation in Manchester, an impromptu showcase of tricks earned a round of applause. Stephen has also written a children’s book, “Nya the Train Dog: A Tale of Safety and Smiles”, aimed at children under ten, which introduces safeguarding and rail safety messages. Free copies were made available at several TPE stations including Manchester Airport, Huddersfield, Hull Paragon Interchange, Brough, Selby, Malton and Scarborough, timed to coincide with World Book Day.
She is, Stephen said, “very food-oriented”, and she has “her paws crossed that everyone we meet will have a dog biscuit on them”. He always carries a supply.