Comfort Dog Set To Join Concord Police In NH First

CONCORD, NH -- A rescue dog set to join the Concord Police Department in the spring is expected to be the first comfort dog to join a New Hampshire police agency. Liberty is a yellow Labrador retriever rescued from Pennsylvania. The dog has been cared for by Hero Pups in Exeter. The organization works with veterans and first responders.

"Comfort dogs, unlike typical police K9s used to locate drugs or track suspects, are used by police departments to increase community engagement, ease trauma for victims in the field or at the police station, and maintain department morale for officers and their families who may be facing difficulties," Concord Public Information Officer Stefanie Breton said in a statement. "In addition, they make visits to places like schools, nursing homes and hospitals; attend community events; and can be called upon whenever there is a need."

Liberty's comfort training is being funded through a donation, according to Phillips.

The Concord comfort dog program will be modeled after the Hawthorne (California) Police Department's program.

Photos: Liberty, a rescue dog set to join Concord police as a comfort dog. (Credit: City of Concord)