Massachusetts.- A new program will establish a county-wide comfort dog mutual aid response system for police departments across Worcester County, supported by a federal grant awarded to the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office.
The U.S. Department of Justice Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program (COSSUP) grant will also support youth substance use prevention programming across Worcester County, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
The initiative will expand the use of comfort dogs to support students, families and community members during critical incidents and community outreach efforts. Funding will help formalize a coordinated mutual aid response system, strengthen existing programs and support the development of new comfort dog teams within local police departments.
The program will provide training, coordination and deployment resources for comfort dog teams, allowing trained teams to respond across Worcester County when communities need them.
The District Attorney’s Office said comfort dogs can help reduce anxiety, support recovery from trauma and promote emotional well-being.
District Attorney Early praised several police departments that have already been coordinating comfort dog responses.
“The impact that these dogs have on people experiencing traumatic situations is unbelievable,” said District Attorney Early. “Their presence brings an immediate sense of calm and reduction in anxiety and stress when its needed most, helping people feel more at ease during moments of crisis and trauma.”
The program is intended to expand access to comfort dog services so that more individuals and communities can receive support during difficult moments.
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