The Black lab puppy’s first day on the job was Sept. 7. He joins ranks that embrace a consolation cat named Scrappy.
A Rhode Island police division is swearing in its latest rent, and he’s cute, cuddly and prepared for responsibility.
A ten-week-old black lab named Blue made his social media debut in August because the first-ever consolation and remedy canine officer for the Tiverton Police Department, about 20 miles southeast of Providence.
His first day on the job was Sept. 7, and USA TODAY bought to talk with Blue’s handler on Monday.
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Officer’s concept for a consolation canine
Tiverton Officer Shaun Wilson is the one who thought the division might use a consolation canine.
“I’ve at all times needed to be a K9 officer,” Wilson advised USA TODAY. “When I noticed the necessity and the rewarding final result of a consolation canine I began trying into it extra.
The police division picked Blue up from Boonefield Labradors, an organization that breeds and trains Labrador retrievers as remedy and luxury dogs.
“The program helps bridge the hole between regulation enforcement and the neighborhood,” Wilson mentioned. “It is essential to have the ability to assist build upon that relationship.”
Blue joins the division’s different remedy pet, Scrappy the cat.
“She has offered plenty of consolation to the officers and workers on the division,” Wilson mentioned.
Blue isn’t the primary remedy canine within the area. There’s additionally Hank, Boonefield Police Department’s first consolation canine, and Brody, who works on the Bristol Police Department a number of cities over, in response to Facebook posts.
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Blue, reporting for responsibility
Blue’s first day on the job was busy however stuffed with enjoyable, Wilson mentioned.
He met his fellow officers, in addition to members of the hearth division. He visited city corridor and bought a checkup on the veterinarian’s workplace. He later bought to fulfill Tiverton High School college students, went to a live performance and stopped by Starbucks for his first pup cup.
Blue checked out some books on the library and this previous weekend, he went apple selecting and had his first swim.
A social media sensation
In an image posted final week, Blue sits at a computer desk showing a bit down however oh-so-cute. The desk responsibility picture caught the eye of neighborhood members who chimed in concerning the division’s latest addition.
“Mastered ‘Sit up straight’, ‘Stay’ and is ready to type already – WOW,” wrote one Facebook user.
“Good for you guys,” wrote one other individual beneath a photograph of Blue sporting his police canine gear. “That pup will help some traumatized citizen or officer feel a bit better some day.”
Wilson mentioned Blue spends his days off being a “regular pup.” Wilson takes him to totally different locations so he’ll be snug in any scenario. He goes to video games, nursing houses and extra.
Wilson mentioned Blue, whose adventures you can track here, has helped all kinds of individuals in Tiverton:
“He has introduced a brand new spark to our little city.”
