Comfort Dog Coming to EP Schools

Martin Middle School Resource Officer (SRO), Jay Rogers knows something about needing to seek stress release.  The affable East Providence Police Officer is based as an SRO at Martin Middle School and deals with adolescents every day.  For the better part of the past year Rogers has been devising a plan to bring a comfort dog to East Providence schools. “I submitted a plan to Police Chief Bill Nebus and Mayor Bob DaSilva and both approved the effort,” Rogers told the Reporter in a recent interview.  “Dr. Sandra Forand (school department) also helped me through this process.  This dog will be a great asset to the City of East Providence, Police and School Department.   The yet to be named dog will be coming sometime in the early fall,” said Rogers.

Recently Rogers and Bristol SRO Keith Medeiros brought K9 Brody, a comfort dog to visit students at Martin MS.  “We had a great visit from Officer Mederios and Brody at MMS.  Brody is a trained service dog who works in the schools in Bristol. Thank you to Officer Jay for setting up this visit and walking Brody around the school. The students from Martin and Martin Pre-K were loving Brody,” said Martin Principal Bill Black.  “Martin Middle School is excited to be the first school in East Providence to have a comfort dog.  We don’t know who we are getting yet, but we are on the list and Officer Jay is excited to train our newest member of the MMS Team,” added Principal Black.

The Martin comfort dog will be living with officer Rogers where the SRO will continue his training of the dog assigned to schools here.  “Our comfort dog will be a quality English Labrador Retriever, bred and trained primarily as a therapy/comfort dog,” added Rogers.       

Rogers has arranged for most costs associated with acquiring the comfort dog to be donated.   “The dog will be donated by David and Peggi Brogan of Boonefield Labradors in Rindge, NH.    The basic Veterinarian costs will be donated by All Pets Mobile Vet, Dr Vincent Seccareccia.  The Initial training will be donated by Petrichor K9, training, Jessica Geas.  The food will be donated by Pet Foods Plus, Bristol RI.,” explained Rogers.  “SRO Brad McNamara (K9 Hank) Of Lunnenberg MA, Police Department and SRO Keith Medeiros (K9 Brody) have helped me on getting the dog.  I plan to model our program, from theirs,” he said.

Boonefield Labradors, Inc. lists many benefits of having a comfort dog in the community and specifically in schools.  “Physical benefits can include reduced blood pressure, good physical stimulation and assisting with pain management.  Social benefits can be the promotion of greater self-esteem and focused interaction with other students and teachers,” say the breeders.  Organizers also believe that comfort dogs can help to stimulate memory and problem-solving skills.  “Other positives of comfort dogs in schools can be that of lifting classroom moods, provoking laughter and providing friendship and a shoulder for students to lean on,” stresses Rogers.

“Comfort dogs can provide a soothing environment during investigations involving children or adults.  They can help to reduce anxiety and increase communication between the adult or child victim/witness and investigators.  They can provide comfort to individuals, groups and communities impacted by violence, tragedy, or traumatic events.  Good community relations is a major result when comfort dogs are involved,” said Rogers.

Rogers and others involved with the program also believe that comfort dogs help bridge the gap between SRO’s and students who would not normally engage in conversation or begin a relationship with the SRO.   “It can enhance positive relationships between the SRO and students and faculty and bring a positive and soothing atmosphere to a school.  It can give the students, faculty and staff a better sense of safety and security within our schools,” stated Rogers.  “It is unknown at this time what color or gender the dog will be, but we’re looking forward to next school year with great anticipation.  We will have an ambassador for the city and police department.”

Other New England departments with therapy dogs are; Bristol, Providence, Pawtucket, Cranston, Greenfield, Westminster, Franklin, Central Mass Critical Incident Stress Management Team and the Northampton Police Department.

Most start-up costs for the program have been donated.  As noted, the comfort dog is donated by Boonefield Labradors of Rindge, NH.  The yearly cost to maintain a comfort dog is about $2,000.  Sources for funding may include pet store partnership, grants and fundraisers.

Said one middle and high school counselor in a New Hampshire town, “… our dog could not be a more perfect fit.  We have a trustworthy and compassionate dog that I know I can depend on.  She is a real miracle worker and I am so grateful for her love and companionship to our students.”

SRO Rogers added one more point.  “Although I’m based at Martin MS, our comfort dog will be made available to all other schools in East Providence.  We’ll make the rounds.”