The Portland Police Department has a new K9 in its ranks that will offer emotional support to officers, provide comfort to crime victims and strengthen community relations.The department announced Monday that it has a new comfort dog, an 8-week-old English Labrador named Archie.Comfort dogs are different from service dogs or emotional support animals. While service dogs and emotional support animals are trained to help one person, comfort dogs are specially trained to assist the public and the community as a whole.Law enforcement comfort dogs are used to help victims or witnesses of trauma, violent crimes and abuse, and they also help first responders cope with job-related stress and the aftermath of difficult situations. Archie will also be engaging with the community at public events, schools and crisis situations."We are excited to welcome Archie to our department," Portland Police Chief Chief Mark Dubois said in a statement. "This initiative underscores our commitment to supporting both our officers and the people we serve. A comfort dog offers a unique way to bring calm and reassurance to those in distress."Archie will be handled by Officer Les Smith, who has more than 30 years of experience and will now be part of the Portland Police Department's Community Policing Unit."We’re hoping Archie will be a great asset to the department and the city of Portland," Smith said in a statement. "I'm really looking forward to sharing him with our community and want to make sure people know, if you see me and Archie out on the streets, please say hello!"Archie will continue to undergo training to interact with people who have experienced trauma and high-stress situations, and the Portland Police Department said it engaged in a lengthy process to ensure it secured a breed of dog that was best suited for this role.English Labradors like Archie are known for being affectionate, loving and friendly. They are social and outgoing dogs that easily warm up to strangers.Archie came from Boonefield Labradors in Rindge, New Hampshire.The public can follow Archie on both Facebook and Instagram.Related content:
PORTLAND, Maine —
The Portland Police Department has a new K9 in its ranks that will offer emotional support to officers, provide comfort to crime victims and strengthen community relations.
The department announced Monday that it has a new comfort dog, an 8-week-old English Labrador named Archie.
Comfort dogs are different from service dogs or emotional support animals. While service dogs and emotional support animals are trained to help one person, comfort dogs are specially trained to assist the public and the community as a whole.
Law enforcement comfort dogs are used to help victims or witnesses of trauma, violent crimes and abuse, and they also help first responders cope with job-related stress and the aftermath of difficult situations. Archie will also be engaging with the community at public events, schools and crisis situations.
"We are excited to welcome Archie to our department," Portland Police Chief Chief Mark Dubois said in a statement. "This initiative underscores our commitment to supporting both our officers and the people we serve. A comfort dog offers a unique way to bring calm and reassurance to those in distress."
Archie will be handled by Officer Les Smith, who has more than 30 years of experience and will now be part of the Portland Police Department's Community Policing Unit.
"We’re hoping Archie will be a great asset to the department and the city of Portland," Smith said in a statement. "I'm really looking forward to sharing him with our community and want to make sure people know, if you see me and Archie out on the streets, please say hello!"
Portland Police Department
Archie will continue to undergo training to interact with people who have experienced trauma and high-stress situations, and the Portland Police Department said it engaged in a lengthy process to ensure it secured a breed of dog that was best suited for this role.
English Labradors like Archie are known for being affectionate, loving and friendly. They are social and outgoing dogs that easily warm up to strangers.
Archie came from Boonefield Labradors in Rindge, New Hampshire.
The public can follow Archie on both Facebook and Instagram.
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