我們計劃的歷史：
2021年3月，欣厄姆員警局聯繫了普利茅斯縣地方檢察官辦公室，詢問為欣厄姆社區購買慰安犬的資金。 在研究了慰安犬可以為執法部門及其各自社區帶來的好處后，地區檢察官蒂姆·克魯茲（Tim Cruz）向欣厄姆員警局授予了慰安犬小額贈款，以啟動一個試點專案，該專案迅速擴展到普利茅斯縣慰安犬計劃。
地方檢察官克魯茲制定了普利茅斯縣慰安犬計劃，為普利茅斯縣內的所有社區提供額外的服務和資源。 普利茅斯縣地方檢察官辦公室向普利茅斯縣員警局提供小額贈款，以協助支付與購買、訓練和照顧慰安犬相關的費用。
我們的設計：
Our program is designed to be implemented by either the local School Resource Officer or the Police Department’s Community Outreach Officer, who in turn become the dog’s handler and sole caretaker. Both the handler and the comfort dog become members of the Plymouth County Comfort Dogs Program and are required to undergo all necessary trainings in the certification process to qualify as a comfort and community resource dog. Both the handler and comfort dog are available to assist not only in their community, but in all communities across Plymouth County as part of our regional response team.
關於我們的計劃：
我們的普利茅斯縣慰安犬網絡存在於我們的學校中，白天為學生提供情感支持，晚上和週末為社區提供情感支持。我們的訓導員和慰安犬團隊與普利茅斯縣地方檢察官辦公室的工作人員合作，在普利茅斯縣的社區活動中合作，將來還將在我們的兒童倡導中心和辦公室提供慰安服務。我們的慰安犬團隊作為區域應變團隊的一部分隨時待命，在危機時刻為社區提供互助。
我們的宗旨：
阿片類藥物危機不僅極大地影響了馬薩諸塞州，而且特別影響了普利茅斯縣。 不幸的是，我們縣目睹了數以千計的過量和過量死亡，其中許多是年輕人。漣漪效應延伸到社區深處，因為家人、朋友、鄰居和學校都在努力應對後果。 我們的慰安犬通過為社區中受這些漣漪影響的人們提供安慰服務，被證明是一筆巨大的資產。
普利茅斯縣慰安犬計劃的使命和目的是為吸毒瀕危兒童、有不良童年經歷 （ACE） 的學生以及普利茅斯縣社區內需要這項服務的其他人的福祉提供安慰和情感支援。
我們的擴展：
Currently, we have 22 trauma-and-crisis trained dogs and handlers in our program.
In January 2024, the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office received approval for a change of scope to our existing DOJ / BJA-COSSUP Drug Endangered Children’s Initiative Grant. The DOJ approved the reallocation of $447,000.00 to the Plymouth County Comfort Dog Program for training, equipment and an academic evaluation of our program for 17 of our comfort dogs that regularly visit our K-12 schools.
In October 2024, the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office applied for further funding through the DOJ/ BJA Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program (COSSUP) for the Plymouth County Comfort Dog Program, and received an additional award of $1.6 million dollars in funding for up to 27 dogs. This new grant will enable us to strengthen, improve and expand our existing program with the overarching goal of reducing the impact of illicit opioids, stimulants and other substances on youth and families in our community.
With grant funding, the Plymouth County Comfort Dog Program will undertake prevention intervention efforts that seek to reduce the harms associated with ACEs among individuals who have already experienced them and provide support for building protective factors against potential harmful experiences. The objectives of our project are to (1) enhance the depth and quality of collaboration between law enforcement, service providers and school systems; (2) expand substance use education and prevention programming that connects law enforcement with youth; (3) increase access to drug take back programs for the community at large; (4) conduct evaluation to assess program impact.
Beyond prevention programming for K-12 students, the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office will also work with Bridgewater State University to provide substance use education and prevention efforts on campus.
Additionally, our Plymouth County Comfort Dogs will attend community events across Plymouth County and will regularly visit our senior centers and hospitals upon request.