By Wenjing Ding
Published Dec 27, 2022, by Gannett | USA Today Network – The Patriot Ledger
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 meets Karla at the Patriots Hall of Fame. Karla was visiting from Denmark with her parents.
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.”
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