The opioid crisis has greatly affected not only Massachusetts, but Plymouth County in particular. Our county has unfortunately witnessed thousands of overdoses and overdose deaths, many of whom were young adults. The ripple effect extends far into the community as family, friends, neighbors, and schools try to cope with the aftershock. We have found that comfort dogs assist with the recovery from these ripples by providing comfort services to those in their community. District Attorney Cruz has developed the Plymouth County Comfort Dog Program to provide a mini-grant to Plymouth County Police Departments to assist with the costs associated with acquiring, training and caring for their comfort dog.
The Plymouth County Comfort Dog Program’s mission and purpose is to provide comfort and emotional support for the well-being of Drug Endangered Children, students with Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and others that require this service within the Plymouth County community.
The program has been designed to be implemented by the local School Resource Officer, who in turn becomes the dog’s handler and sole caretaker. Both the SRO and the comfort dog are required to undergo all necessary trainings in the certification process and qualify as a comfort/therapy dog.
The requirements of the Plymouth County Comfort Dog program are that the officer and the comfort dog are present in the schools, and are on hand to provide emotional support for the students during the day, and available to the community at night and weekends. The handler and the comfort dog must be available to work with the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office staff at community events across Plymouth County, and must provide comfort services at our Children’s Advocacy Center.
We currently have 10 Comfort Dogs in our program.
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The Plymouth County Comfort Dogs Presentation at the Handle with Care Conference
June 1, 2023
In the news:
Meet Our Comfort Dogs:
Hingham Police Comfort Dog Opry
About Opry:
Opry is Hingham Police Department’s Comfort Dog. She is the first member of the Plymouth County Comfort Dog Program.
Opry, born in 2021, is a mixed-breed rescued from the kill line in Texas. Opry was donated by PAWS New England. She received her training from Donna’s Do-Right Dogs LLC.
Opry is a rockstar… she knows how to skateboard, say hello and goodby. You will often see Opry sporting one of her many costumes.
Opry resides with Hingham PD’s School Resource Officer Tom Ford and his family.
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Hanson Police Comfort Dog Ziva
About Ziva:
Ziva, born in 2022, is Hanson Police Department’s newest comfort dog. She is the eleventh member of the Plymouth County Comfort Dog Program.
Ziva is an English Creme Golden Retriever acquired and trained by Golden Opportunities for Independence (GOFI)
Ziva resides with Derek Harrington and his family.
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Hanson Police Comfort Dog Lucy
About Lucy:
Lucy, born in 2022, was the Hanson Police Department’s first Comfort Dog. She served during the 2022-2023 school year. Lucy was a beloved member of the Plymouth County Comfort Dog Program, but was forced into retirement due to a serious medical condition.
Lucy was the second member of our program. She was an English Creme Golden Retriever from Golden Opportunities for Independence (GOFI).
On August 24, 2023 with a heavy heart, the Hanson Police Department announced the End of Watch for Lucy. Lucy resided with Hanson PD’s School Resource Officer Derek Harrington and his family. We offer Officer Harrington, his family and the entire Hanson Police Department our sincerest condolences.
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Abington Comfort Dog Harlow
About Harlow:
Harlow is the Abington Police Department’s Comfort Dog, he is the third member of the Plymouth County Comfort Dog Program.
Harlow, born in 2022, is a Yellow Labrador Retriever and was a gift to the department fro Patrice Anderson. Harlow received his training at 5 Rings Pet Resort. Harlow is bilingual. He understands commands in English, Spanish, and also understands hand signals.
Harlow resides with Abington PD’s School Resource Officer Gladys Morgan and her family.
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Hanover Police Comfort Dog Lainey
About Lainey:
Lainey is the Hanover Police Department’s Comfort Dog. She is the fourth member of the Plymouth County Comfort Dog Program.
Lainey, born in 2022, is a Yellow Labrador Retriever from Mallard Point Labradors. Lainey received her training at 5 Rings Pet Resort.
Lainey resides with Hanover PD’s School Resource Officer Mike McKeever and his family.
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Brockton Comfort Dog Max
About Max:
Max is the Brockton Police Department’s Comfort Dog. He is the fifth member of the Plymouth County Comfort Dog Program.
Max, born in 2022, is an Australian Labradoodle from the Tip of the Shores Australian Labradoodles. Max received his training at Professional Canine Services.
Max resides with Brockton School Police Officer Dan Vaughn and his family.
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Bridgewater State University Comfort Dog Mikey
About Mikey:
Mikey is the Bridgewater State University Police Department’s Comfort Dog. She is the sixth member of the Plymouth County Comfort Dog Program.
Mikey, born in 2020, is an American Black Labrador Retriever acquired and trained by Puppies Behind Bars.
Mikey resides with Bridgewater State University PD’s Detective Sergeant Robert McEvoy and his family.
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East Bridgewater Police Comfort Dog Morgan
About Morgan:
Morgan is East Bridgewater Police Department’s Comfort Dog. She is the seventh member of the Plymouth County Comfort Dog Program.
Morgan, born in 2022, is a Yellow Labrador Retriever acquired and trained by Professional Canine Services.
Morgan resides with East Bridgewater PD’s School Resource Officer Tallitha Connor and her family.
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Hull Police Comfort Dog Peddocks
About Peddocks:
Peddocks is the Hull Police Department’s Comfort Dog. Peddocks is the eighth member of the Plymouth County Comfort Dog Program.
Peddocks, born in 2022, is a Black Labrador Retriever acquired and trained by Professional Canine Services.
Peddocks resides with Hull PD’s School Resource Officer Leanne Marshalsea and her family.
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Whitman Police Comfort Dog Nola
About Nola:
Nola, born in 2023 is the Whitman Police Department’s Comfort Dog. She is the ninth member of the Plymouth County Comfort Dog Program.
Nola is an English Creme Golden Retriever, acquired and trained by Golden Opportunity for Independence (GOFI)
Nola resides with Whitman PD’s School Resource Officer Kevin Harrington and his family.
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Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department Comfort Dog Starr
About Starr:
Starr, born in 2019, is the Plymouth County Sheriff Department’s Comfort Dog. She is the tenth member of the Plymouth County Comfort Dog Program.
Starr is a Great Dane and resides with K9 Deputy Dennis Desroches and his family.
Coming soon to a community near you…
- Halifax Comfort Dog
- Marion Comfort Dog
- Mattapoisett Comfort Dog
- Plymouth Comfort Dog Eamon
- Scituate Comfort Dog
- Rochester Comfort Dog