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Offbeat

Massachusetts police department hires comfort dog to work with kids

APB Team Published October 14, 2022 @ 12:00 pm PDT

Seekonk P.D.

A Massachusetts police department recently welcomed its newest member — a comfort dog named Mac — to work with kids who experienced trauma.

Mac, an 8-week-old black English Lab, met his new family at the Seekonk Police Department on September 23, where he will work as a comfort dog.

Officials say the comfort K-9 will primarily be on duty with school resource officers to help kids dealing with trauma.

“Kids, especially kids exposed to trauma, have a much higher likelihood to talk to a police officer with a comfort dog,” Seekonk Police Chief Dean Isabella explained. “These dogs do so much good all over the place.”

SRO Kevin Nagle, who will work with Mac, said they chose the name after receiving the results of a “crazy” naming contest.

“It [the name Mac] kept popping up over and over again, so we kind of pulled between some of the schools, I was thinking of what some of the options are, talking to the guys here at the station, and Mac it was. That seemed to be the winner.”

Breeder Boonefield Labradors, which has provided law enforcement agencies with K-9s in the past, donated the puppy to the department.

“They’ve been donating comfort dogs and therapy dogs to local law enforcement agencies across New England for several years,” Isabella said. “This will be their 26th donation.”

Kids recently got to meet Mac at a pumpkin patch.

“Did you get to meet Mac at the Pumpkin Something today? Seems as though he was a big hit!” the department wrote on Facebook.

“Love the little fur angel! Welcome, Mac! Enjoy all the love!” a commenter wrote.

Seekonk is a town in Bristol County in western Massachusetts.

Categories: Offbeat Tags: Dean Isabella, Labrador, K9, kids, mental health, school resource officer, trauma, Massachusetts, comfort dog, Seekonk Police Department

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