Lucy in the news:
Grants aid police mental health efforts
Hanson Express
JULY 21, 2022 BY TRACY F. SEELYE, EXPRESS EDITOR
HANSON — The Hanson Police Department will soon be obtaining a new “officer” – a golden retriever comfort dog, to be used primarily in the schools.
Chief Michael Miksch said he expects the dog to make frequent visits to the Senior Center, where School Resource Officer Derek Harrington is also a liaison officer.
During his regular report to the Select Board, Miksch briefed members about the comfort dog program, a mental health clinician he is pursuing to share with three other area departments and an accreditation process, the department is now undergoing, and that he expects certification to be completed within a year and full accreditation “before I go.”
The Select Board unanimously approved the comfort dog program and related memorandum of understanding concerning the animal.
The department has been awarded a $5,000 grant from DA Timothy Cruz’s office for a comfort dog, which the schools had asked for, but, while the dog will be largely used by the School District, the grant is designed for police departments.
Miksch admitted he was skeptical at first, but has since seen the value of the dogs.
“If you asked me a couple of years ago, I would have been like, ‘There’s no way I’m buying a pet for the cops,’” he said. “Having a little bit more of an open mind and actually researched it a little bit more, these things are unbelievable.”
It can’t be called a therapy dog because the department can’t provide a service, but it can be used as a comfort animal.
“The way part of this started was the schools had mentioned they would really like one for the guidance office, but I told them, ‘I’m not ready to do that,’” he said. He looked into grants, which were for law enforcement. Cruz’s grant – funded through drug seizure money – will pay for the dog itself, even while it will spend most of its time in the schools.
A memorandum of understanding was negotiated with the union, where the main concerns were, how the dog would be used, who would care for it, and who would be responsible for any financial issues. They took no additional salary for it.
“My goal is for a $0 program for the taxpayers,” Miksch said, noting the training program receives a lot of public donations and officers are interested in doing side fundraisers. There will, however be liability and health insurance – perhaps about $2,000 a year – needed for the dog, but that can be covered through the regular police budget.
The department is working with Golden Opportunities for Independence (GOFI) which trains therapy and service dogs as well as comfort dogs.
Seven police K-9 comfort dogs –mainly from Norfolk County – are already in the program, working with schools.
For any remaining costs, Miksch said a couple people have already offered to make donations directly to GOFI, a 501 (c) 3 organization.
Select Board member Joe Weeks, who has worked with Children and Family Services said it will be a great morale booster for the town.
“There’s really no downside to what you’re doing,” he said.
Miksch said it would also be an asset for the senior center, where some people have expressed enthusiasm because, while they love dogs, they are unable to have a large dog anymore and would welcome a visit.
“I told officer Harrington he’s going to be the second-most popular person in town – after the dog,” Miksch said.
“Town Hall employees do need a little visit occasionally,” Select Board Chair Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett. “When she’s ready, we’d love to have a little visit.”
Miksch said the dog could stop by as early as next week.
After the dog’s service, it may remain with officer’s family unless there are training lapses or other problems.
The dog, a 5-month-old female is already showing a talent for tracking and can be used for soft track searches for missing autistic or elderly persons.
“We’re not sending Cujo out there with a muzzle on to find them and scare them,” Miksch said. “Foofy dog’s going to sit down next to them and lick them and they’ll be happy and everything will be wonderful.”
Miksch said he is also working with the towns of Carver, Plympton and Halifax to get a grant through Children and Family Services in New Bedford and Plymouth for crisis intervention that would fund a clinician at one of the three area stations to reduce the need to transport people to the hospital on psychiatric calls and for follow up when there is a need for mental health services.
“We’re cops,” he said “We know [when someone’s] not right or we know [they’’re] OK, and sometimes there’s a really big gray area,” he said. “This is going to help a lot.”
Accreditation process involves a review of 179 standards that have to be met by the department.
“The good news is, we do those things either in practice or in writing,” Miksch said. “But it’s time to put it all together in writing.”
There has also been changes in police officer training standards as part of the state’s police reform law, mandating certain changes, which Hanson is also following.
He said department regulations are also being updated, which hadn’t been updated since he was hired in 2013.
‘We all need more love in our day’: Meet 5 South Shore police comfort dogs
They bring joy and healing to people young and old
December 27, 2022
HINGHAM − Opry, a police comfort dog, wags her tail while Hingham High School students pet her and smile as they pass through the hall between classes.
“It’s very nice to have a support dog in our school,” said Elyse Jones, 18, of Hingham High School. “Opry was great for the school community. She’s really unique and brings people together.”
Police departments nationwide are increasingly using comfort dogs. The dogs do everything from accompanying the elderly who feel alone to helping children reduce stress and promoting wellness in schools.
Here are five stories of South Shore comfort dogs.
Opry, of Hingham
“We love having her in our community. It makes the school feel more like home,” said Griffin Coppola, 17, a Hingham High School student. “Playing with the dogs is always a fun activity to do, and Opry makes the whole school less stressful.”
Opry, a mixed-breed rescue dog from Texas, turns 2 in March. She was donated to Hingham police by PAWS New England and funded through a grant from the Plymouth County district attorney’s office. Opry is the Hingham Police Department’s first comfort dog and has lived with School Resource Officer Thomas Ford and his family since she was 3 months old.
She has been training for the past year and a half. Ford said she is gentle and docile and that kids love her. He said she helps build relationships between the police department and students. She works 40 hours a week and is always available to the kids.
“She’s not just a dog, she’s an integral member of our community,” said Molly Rabinovitz, the transition program coordinator leader at Hingham High School. “She makes everybody smile.”
Charlee, of Weymouth
Charlee, a 3-year-old English cream golden retriever, goes to Weymouth High School with School Resource Officer Ryan Hamacher as the Weymouth Police Department’s community resource dog.
Charlee has lived with Hamacher, her trainer, and his family since she was 4 months old. She was obtained using a grant from the Norfolk County district attorney’s office to the Weymouth Police Department and was trained for 14 months by Golden Opportunities for Independence in Walpole, which trains service animals.
Hamacher said everyone knows Charlee. She spends much of her time at Weymouth High School playing with kids, helping students relax before tests and comforting victims of traumatic events. She visits all the schools in town.
“She loves everyone. Our hope is that Charlee can provide some comfort and love to those who are going through a hard time in need,” Hamacher said. “We hope some of the other departments will be able to get some community resource dogs in the future to help build relationships between the police department and the community as well.”
Harper, of Randolph
Harper, a nearly 1-year-old English golden retriever, also came from Golden Opportunity for Independence. She has worked at the Randolph Police Department for 8 months. School Resource Unit Officer Detective Kristen Gagnon said she has been training Harper since the dog was 10 weeks old at the Walpole facility. Her training lasts for a year and a half.
Harper’s main job is to serve as a therapy dog, working to comfort victims young and old. She brings a smile to everyone she meets, Gagnon said. Harper is trained to provide comfort and is completing search-and-rescue training.
“We all need more love in our day, and Harper brings love and joy to all she meets,” Gagnon said. “We went to Salem High School recently when they had a student pass away. Harper can be very sensitive to people’s emotions when someone is upset. She can sense certain things and will come right over to do what she needs to do.”
Lucy, of Hanson
The Hanson Police Department has a 10-month-old cream golden retriever named Lucy in its emotional support unit. Lucy, a comfort dog from Golden Opportunities for Independence, has worked at the Hanson Police Department for 4 months.
Police officer Derek Harrington, Lucy’s trainer, said she’s a wonderful dog who brings people joy in hard times. Lucy was certified in the AKC puppy star test. She visits locations around town including the senior center, assisted living facilities and schools. She is also being trained in search and rescue.
“She’s not only a great resource for her job, which is comforting people to reduce stress and anxiety, but also helping police officers build connections with the community,” Harrington said.
Harlow, of Abington
Harlow, an 8-month-old bilingual yellow Lab therapy dog, knows Spanish and English. He is the Abington Police Department’s first comfort dog and has lived with School Resource Officer Gladys Morgan and her family since he was 8 weeks old.
As the department’s official community resource dog, Harlow has been working on training. He started work during the COVID-19 pandemic, offering mental health and emotional support at schools, early-education centers, community events and more. Morgan said he knows how to help a variety of people, including those with schizophrenia.
“In Abington, everybody loves Harlow,” Morgan said. “We love this community as well. Harlow is kind of like a celebrity. I’m grateful he got all the attention of all the students and residents.”
Harlow with Abington police officer Gladys Morgan. Wenjing Ding