Portsmouth police add comfort dog to department staff

PORTSMOUTH, R.I. (WLNE) — A new recruit has just joined the force in Portsmouth.

Holly, the Portsmouth Police Department’s first-ever comfort dog, will work with Portsmouth schools students.

Holly is a 16-month old lab who arrived in Rhode Island thanks to the New-York organization Puppies Behind Bars.

After successfully completing her training and swearing in, Holly will be partnered with Officer Westley Lemar, the department’s dedicated school resource officer for Portsmouth’s middle and elementary schools.

Holly will be available for special circumstances outside of the schools and she will serve with the directive to reduce anxiety, connect with residents and enhance communication with victims and witnesses.

Puppies Behind Bars trains incarcerated individuals to raise service dogs for first responders and wounded war veterans.

The comfort dog program is paid for entirely through donations.

Download the ABC6 Providence NOW app