UPD Expands Mental Health Program to Strengthen Student Support Services

The Texas State University Police Department (UPD) is significantly expanding its Therapy K9 Program to bolster mental health and wellness support for the university community. 

This initiative establishes two full-time therapy K9 teams that will provide daily support and crisis response, marking a major step forward in the department's commitment to Compassion-Based Policing.

Officers David Velasco-Martinez and Monique Grijalva will lead these new teams. They will both undergo certification as Mental Health Officers (MHOs) in the State of Texas, ensuring they can provide effective, trauma-informed, and empathetic support to students in crisis. 

The department will partner with the nationally recognized Paws & Stripes College at the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office in Florida to train its next generation of therapy dogs, ensuring the highest standards of professionalism and temperament.

"This new chapter represents a significant step forward," said Chief Matthew Carmichael. "We’re not just growing a program, we’re building a lasting legacy of compassion-driven policing that places the emotional and mental well-being of our students at the center of what we do."

Ofc. Velasco-Martinez shared his motivation for becoming an MHO: "I want to help bridge the gap between mental heath care and law enforcement. I want to help our mental health consumers reach the resources that are needed to succeed in their lives."

His future goals with the program include becoming more active in the department’s commitment to community engagement.

He graduated from Texas State University in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a minor in forensic psychology. He served as a correctional officer for approximately two and a half years with the HCSO before attending the peace officer academy. 

He then decided to return to Texas State as a police officer and has been with UPD for three years.

Ofc. Grijalva comes to the UPD from the state of Arizona, where she served with distinction as a police officer for seven years. 

During her tenure, she earned multiple specialized certifications, including School Resource Officer, Crisis Intervention Officer, Crisis Negotiator, and Decoy. Her diverse skill set reflects a deep commitment to public safety, crisis response, and community engagement.

Monique’s dedication to teamwork and excellence has not gone unnoticed. She was the recipient of the Teamwork Award in 2019 and was honored with the Women to Watch Award in 2023, recognizing her as an emerging leader in law enforcement. 

UPD is thrilled to welcome Monique to the family, confident that her experience and passion for service will be a tremendous asset to the department and the campus community.

Beyond the K9 program, UPD is also hiring its first full-time Victim Advocate. This new role will provide dedicated support to survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and other traumatic incidents. The advocate will work alongside the therapy K9 teams to offer comprehensive, integrated, and trauma-informed care and proactive engagement throughout the university.

These new initiatives are a direct reflection of UPD's Compassion-Based Policing philosophy, which prioritizes emotional intelligence, mental health awareness, and community connection. The department is shifting from sporadic, reactive support to a structured, sustainable model designed to proactively meet the mental health needs of the Texas State community.

"In a time when policing is being reimagined, our department is choosing to lead with love, care, and compassion," said Chief Carmichael. "By expanding our therapy K9 program, training MHOs, and embedding a full-time advocate into our operations, we are creating a public safety model that reflects the values of our university and the needs of our students."