First responders are under an incredible amount of stress. According to The Malinois Foundation, “An estimated 30 percent of first responders develop depression, stress, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health consequences.” First responders include workers in different fields. From firefighters and police, to paramedics, EMS, search and rescue, and more. Enter Massachusetts Comfort Dogs.
According to First Responder Therapy Dogs, these dogs definitely have a calming effect. Their presence helps reduce blood pressure and stress. They also help with improving mood and allowing responders to focus on communities they serve. Also very important is the fact that they will be receiving care themselves. First Responder Therapy Dogs has 120 therapy dog teams serving first responders in 27 states, including Massachusetts.
The Malinois Foundation, First Responders reports some specific ways these dogs help. Benefits include: reducing depression, reducing flashbacks, and reducing suicidal thoughts.
Therapy and comfort dogs are a huge help to first responders. I have also seen them used in many other community spaces. They visit schools, libraries, senior centers, veterans groups, and more. Comfort dogs bring calm and peace wherever they go.
To become a certified first responder therapy dog, both dog and handler go through extensive training. At Paws For Life K9 Rescue, they “combine the dog’s innate abilities to provide comfort with a stringent training schedule to learn 25 commands. This training process ensures the dog can be safely taken to any scene, and provide comfort, consolation and support regardless of environmental changes.”
Dogs and handlers must be prepared to walk into the most stressful and traumatic situations imaginable. They’ve been sent to locations like the mass shootings in Uvalde, TX, Sandy Hook, the Pulse Nightclub, and more.
Here in Massachusetts, more and more fire, police, and other first responders are getting comfort dogs. Enjoy!
Maynard Police Department's Otis
Meet Otis, Maynard Police Department’s comfort dog. According to the Maynard Police Department website, Otis officially joined the department on February 8th as part of the new Maynard Police comfort dog program. I reached out to the Maynard Police Department and talked to Otis’ handler Allison.
“I am Otis’s handler, I am the School Resource Officer, Juvenile Detective, and Elder Affairs for the Maynard Police Department. I requested that the department look into getting a comfort dog because of the positive impact comfort dogs have. I got Otis on February 7th 2023 from Puddleduck Labs out of Morrill Maine. I work in the elementary, middle, and high school and Otis comes to each school with me. All of the students and staff love Otis and he is truly so good at his job. Watching children interact with Otis is heart warming. When a child is having a bad day, you would be amazed at how fast he turns it around for them- tears stop in seconds (No exaggeration)! Otis just turned 6 months and is continuing to make a positive impact on everyone he meets. Otis just passed his basic obedience and will continue to learn and train.”
Oh hey Otis!
Otis watches on as handler Allison McCann reads a book to a classroom
Otis poses with his handler Allison McCann after getting certified.
Sudbury Police Department - Rico
The Sudbury Police Department has their own special four-legged officer – Rico! Rico is the partner of Sudbury Officer Jessica Latini. Officer Latini is the School Resource Officer, and she and Rico bring lots of comfort and joy to the kids and community.
Officer Latini and Rico looking like best friends
Officer Latini and Rico
Officer Latini and Rico hit the beach
Taunton Police Department's Maggie
Maggie joined the Taunton Police Department in May. She’s a 9-week-old golden retriever who came from Golden Opportunities for Independence in Walpole.
Members of the Taunton Police Department voted on several different names, but Maggie was chosen in honor of the department’s first female officer. In 1943, Margaret Stevens was appointed as the department’s first “policewoman” and went on to become a senior officer before retiring in 1962.
Taunton Police Department comfort dog Maggie
Taunton Police comfort dog Maggie gets snuggles
Mass State Police - Luna
Luna is the Mass State Police Department’s first comfort dog. Trooper Chad Tata is Luna’s handler. According to state police, Luna is assigned to the state police’s Employee Assistance Unit, which works with first responders, police and firefighters as part of the department’s post-traumatic stress decompression/healing process.
Mass State Police comfort dog Luna enjoys some time out at sea
Lowell Fire Department - Chief
Cutie pie Chief is the comfort dog of the Lowell Fire Department. From their Facebook post announcing Chief last year, the LFD said, “We are committed to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health issues. All of us here at LAFD have taken the Yellow Rose Campaign Pledge and in addition to that commitment we are wanting to utilize our Little Chief to be a comfort dog for first responders. The research is out there and dogs are one emerging complementary treatment option.”
Chief chilling at the fire department
Chief ready for duty
Brockton Police Department's Bonnie
Bonnie joined the Brockton Police Department last year. She’s a Labrador retriever mix, and was rescued from a kill shelter by Professional Canine Services. She will work in Brockton schools and the peer support unit.
Bonnie all dressed up and ready for service
Bonnie taking some quiet time for herself
Reading Police Department - Cooper and Rusty
Cooper and Rusty are the comfort dogs of the Reading Police Department. The two were officially sworn in on May 4, 2022. Officer Matt Vatcher (with golden Rusty) and Officer Brian Lewis (with black lab Cooper) all spend most of their time in Reading Schools, but have also visited the Senior Center and assisted living facilities in Reading.
School Resource Officers Lewis and Vatcher with Cooper and Rusty
Cooper and Rusty ready for the Reading High Prom
Tufts Medical Center - Bob and Dottie
Bob became a member of the Tufts Medical Center community back in August of 2020. From Tufts Medical Center: “Funded through a grant from the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation, Bob is the Medical Center’s first full-time, in-residence pet therapy dog. Bob, a four-year-old Goldendoodle, is specially trained to provide comfort and ease anxiety and stress in a hospital setting for our patients, families and employees.”
Bob was recently joined by Dottie, who came through a generous donation of a private foundation. Dottie is a 17-month-old golden retriever and recent graduate of Canine Assistants.
Dottie and Bob ready to deliver some pawsitive energy
Bourne Police Department's Calli
Calli is the comfort dog of the Bourne Police Department. She was donated from Freedom Labradors and has some very important duties that include: comforting those in need, bringing smiles to everyone around her, and to ease anxiety with students, victims, and others.
What a face!
So much love in one picture
Randolph Police Department - Harper
Harper joined the Randolph Police Department at just 9-weeks-old in March. The English golden retriever, will act as a comfort dog for the community alongside Detective Kristen Gagnon, who will handle her training and care.
Good job Harper!
Harper surrounded by love at Randolph’s National Night Out in 2022.
Salem Police Department's Derby
Derby joined the Salem, MA Police Department in March of 2022. Derby is an English Cream Golden Retriever and works with Patrol Officer Jessica Rondinelli as part of the department’s Community Impact Unit. Derby will assist in situations where children or adults are facing stress, anxiety, or trauma. Or who are having a mental health crisis.
Derby also spends time making visits to schools, hospitals, nursing homes, senior programs, and making appearances at community events.
Baby Derby
Derby ready for duty
Hingham Police Department - Opry
Looks like Chief Jones and Opry run on Dunkin!
Tufts Police Department - Pepper
Pepper is the comfort dog of the Tufts Police Department, and serves the Somerville/Medford campus. Tufts teamed with Hero Pups to bring Pepper on board. She’s been with the department since March 2023.
Wouldn’t you give this face anything they wanted?
Wilmington Police Department - Zena
Zena is a Bernedoodle who has been with Wilmington Police since January 2022. Zena and her handler, social worker Samantha Reid, help residents who are struggling with mental health, substance use, behavioral health issues, and other issues.
Zena from the Wilmington Police Department
Revere Police Department - Charlie
Charlie is a therapy dog with the Revere Police Department, and and works with his handler, School Resource Officer Bryan Brenes. Charlie is an English Black Lab, who came to the department in April at just 6 weeks old. He’s currently going through training for certification.
Comfort dog Charlie with handler/School Resource Officer Bryan Brenes
