PORTSMOUTH — City police detective Rochelle Jones and her canine accomplice, Mason, have a troublesome job. They each go into all types of conditions: intense, tactical, essential, well being and well-being checks and plenty of extra. They at all times have one another’s backs.
Mason is a consolation canine and has been with the division for a few 12 months.
A celebration for Mason was held on the Portsmouth Senior Center Thursday, April 11. People attended to search out out concerning the heart in addition to study what Mason and Jones do within the line of responsibility.
Jones gave an instance of how Mason helped an elderly man scuffling with emphysema linked to an oxygen tank face the premature dying of his son.
“When police responded to the death, the father would not leave the property until he got to see his son,” Jones said. “He was very upset and sat in his truck not budging. I asked him if he liked dogs and he said, ‘Yes.’ I went to get Mason and he jumped up next to him on the seat. The man hugged him and began to cry. Mason spent time with him, allowing him to grieve some emotions and get him through a very bad time in his life on that day.”
Jones later obtained a letter from the person’s daughter, thanking her for the consolation Mason offered to her liked one.
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The Portsmouth Police Department relies on partnerships and sponsors, resembling AT&T FirstNet, to make the consolation canine program work, in accordance with police. Mason started his profession at Stratham-based nonprofit Hero Pups, the place he was skilled earlier than going to Portsmouth police at 4 months old to fulfill individuals, although Mason didn’t begin “on the job” till November. He is division’s first consolation canine. Other Hero Pups confirmed up for the celebration from completely different police departments within the state, two of them being Mason’s sisters.
Jones spoke extremely of Mason’s affect once they exit into the neighborhood of faculties, libraries, business conferences, public housing and extra.
“The most rewarding thing I think is seeing the joy and love he brings and the smiles on people’s faces. It’s unbelievable,” Jones said. “When people say, ‘Where’s the dog? Where’s Mason?’ my heart just gets bigger because it’s about their relationship with him.”
