Deputy Banjo Helps Sheriff Prioritize Mental Health

SDI Founder & CEO Sheri Soltes with Gillespie County Sheriff Chris Ayala (R), Mental Health Officer Deputy Wayne Hudson and SDI First Responder Facility Dog Banjo (middle) and Mental Health Officer James Kruse (L)

January 1, 2025, Chris Ayala was sworn in as the newly elected Sheriff of Gillespie County, familiar to many weekend visitors to beautiful Fredericksburg. That very first day, he met with Deputy Wayne Hudson and appointed him the department's first Mental Health Officer. Wayne, who had 25 years of patrol experience under his belt, as well as serving in the U.S. Army, was the perfect man for the job. He understood how stress could burden and person and he truly cared.

Sheriff Ayala recalled earlier days parking next to Deputy Michelle Quade of the nearby Kendall County Sheriff's Office (SO). He remembered Renee, the Black Lab that Michelle, the Mental Health Officer for the Kendall County SO, lifted the spirits of everyone in the department. He knew they also intervened when citizens had mental and emotional health crises.

"Where did y'all get that dog," he asked his longtime colleague Sheriff Al Auxier. Then he reached out to us. The result was Banjo joining the department.

Still in training, Banjo is already making a difference beyond what anyone could have anticipated.

"He's starting to come with me to the office," explains Wayne. "One day, we were at the park and I started talking with a friend of mine. He was a combat Marine and a game warden for Kerr County. He and his K9 worked the first five days of the flood until he was finally ordered to take a break."

"While we were talking, he kept putting his hand down and petting Banjo. I know Banjo being there helped him open up."

Sheri, Sheriff Ayala and Deputy Hudson discussed networking with other Sheriffs' Offices that want to offer mental health services

Sheriff Ayala has emphasized mental health throughout his career, including working in the school system. "One conversation can prevent a suicide or even a mass shooting," he said. "I've interviewed people who've killed and studied them. So many of them said, 'I tried to tell someone, but no one would listen. If someone would have reached out, I would have taken that as divine intervention saying - don't do it. But no one did.' "

We are excited for Deputy Hudson and Banjo to complete their training and step into the full role of their partnership. Like the sound of a beautiful tune, they will reach beyond what we can even predict.

SDI provides all of our dogs free of charge to individual and agency clients. Would you like to donate to support Banjo's training?

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