New Hampshire 911 Introduces Comfort Dog Program

CONCORD, New Hampshire – The New Hampshire Department of Safety's Division of Emergency Services and Communications (DESC) proudly announces the establishment of its Comfort Dog Program, aimed at supporting the mental well-being of its personnel. As the Division’s first comfort dog, Winni, a female golden retriever, will quickly become an integral part of the Division's efforts to provide emotional support and assistance during challenging situations.

The comfort dog program was initiated as the capstone project of New Hampshire 911 Supervisor Abigail Rider, who completed this project as part of her Certified Public Manager (CPM) course through the State’s Bureau of Education and Training. The New Hampshire Certified Public Manager program is a nationally accredited management development program intended specifically for managers in federal, state, and local government. The program's primary goal is to improve the performance of public sector managers and the organizational performance of state, local, and federal government. As part of the curriculum, participants are required to complete a capstone project. Abigail Rider’s project was so exemplary that it earned her the prestigious ASKEW National CPM Award, awarded by the American Academy of Certified Public Managers for demonstration of exemplary work in the completion of the capstone project.

“Our skilled telecommunicators at New Hampshire 911 professionally handle emergency incidents every day, but we know sometimes the nature of the work takes a toll,” said Department of Safety Commissioner Robert Quinn. “This program will be a great addition to the Department’s ongoing efforts that support the mental health and overall wellness of our employees. I commend all those who worked hard to make this happen, and I look forward to seeing Winni at work.”

Unlike traditional service dogs, crisis or trauma dogs, Winni's role will be specifically tailored to offering comfort and companionship to the hardworking individuals within New Hampshire 911 and its partner agencies. The program is the result of a collaborative effort between the DESC, AT&T FirstNet, who provided a $7,000 grant to cover the program’s startup costs, and Hero Pups, a New Hampshire-based non-profit organization dedicated to pairing support dogs with veterans and first responders facing service-related psychological challenges. Hero Pups' commitment to supporting heroes with unconditional companionship aligns perfectly with the mission of the DESC Comfort Dog Program.

"We are immensely grateful for the support of Hero Pups and AT&T FirstNet, whose generous grant has made this program possible," said Mark Doyle, Director of the Division of the Division of Emergency Services and Communications. "Winni's presence will undoubtedly enhance the well-being of our first responders and reinforce our commitment to supporting their mental health needs."

“The dedicated women and men of New Hampshire’s emergency communications centers are public safety’s first line of response,” said John Emra, President, AT&T Atlantic Region. “They deal with traumatic events, often one after another, daily. That’s where Winni comes in. Comfort dog programs aim to help decrease stress, boost morale, improve coping and so much more. Winni is going to make a major impact across the state. We thank Hero Pups for our ongoing collaboration and applaud the New Hampshire Department of Safety and the Division of Emergency Services and Communications for prioritizing the health and wellness of their dedicated personnel.”

Winni will undergo extensive training with Hero Pups throughout 2024, with the expectation to join the Division full-time by January 2025. Throughout the training period, Hero Pups will conduct visits to both of the State’s 911 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs), to facilitate Winni's integration into the Division. Upon graduation, Winni will reside full-time with Rider and work on a 40-hour rotation, with additional availability to support our partner agencies, as requested.

“Winni's duties will extend beyond the PSAPs, as the comfort dog will collaborate with the Department of Safety’s Peer Support team and receive training for dog-assisted Critical Incident Stress Debriefings (CISDs),” said Debbie Bray, DESC’s Chief of PSAP Operations. “Moreover, Winni will be available upon request, even during off-shift hours, to provide mental health support to DESC personnel and assist our partner agencies in the field.”

Winni will be issued an official employee ID and 911 agent number, symbolizing the integral role she will play within the DESC community.