By Scott Calzolaio

The Upton Police Department’s newest officer has a reputation for never letting criminals off the leash - It’s reported he has a nose for crime, so when he starts barking orders, you’d better listen, or things are bound to get ruff for you.

It’s almost as hard to resist a pun as it is to resist giving love and scratches to the department’s new comfort dog, Koda, a 4-month-old black Labrador retriever.

Though Koda won’t be responding to any ‘yelps for help,’ he will be instrumental in building vital community relations, as well helping deescalate situations that require a little bit of extra comfort.

Koda’s handler, School Resource Officer and active National Guardsman, Ciara O'Connor, recently discussed her first few weeks with the newborn pup, while Koda took a mid-morning nap nearby in his crate.

“I’m not sure I would have been able to get a puppy outside of work,” O’Connor said. “Me being able to take him to work with me, and building this relationship with him has been amazing, although it’s like a second, full-time job,” she laughed. 

O’Connor said Koda has already responded to a few mental health calls, specifically providing a grounding force for older residents with dementia-related issues. 

“His responsibility and role is to comfort people in times of stress, anxiety, and so on,” she said. “He’s a community resource for everyone to love on.”

A small bark and a yawn came from the crate in the next room over. 

“Looks like we’re done napping,” O’Connor said, standing up and going to the crate to let out Koda. 

Stretching and wagging, Koda shook off the nap, and reached back to nibble at his vest, “PET ME - IN TRAINING” embossed in large font across his side.

“He puts the vest on, and he knows he’s going to work,” O’Connor said. “He’s calm and relaxed around other people, and when he gets home, he’s his normal, puppy-self.”

Koda is working on his Canine Good Citizen Certification, and has a lot of work to do in the upcoming year, said O’Connor.

The pup’s place on the force represents a relatively new innovation in community policing. 

The concept of the police dogs has been institutionally encouraged since 1907. Employed for their trainability, and ability to sense what we cannot, K9 officers have become integral to countless departments.

Over 100 years later, in 2013, Officer Clarence, a Saint Bernard, was employed in Greenfield, MA, as the nation’s first official Police Comfort Dog. The idea was massively successful, and soon spread across the globe.

Back in Upton, Officer Koda rested his head atop his paws at the top of the hallway stairs and sniffed the air.

“Come on Koda, let’s go outside,” O’Connor encouraged. “This is his favorite spot to put on the brakes,” she laughed, giving up and dropping his leash. “We’ve still got a whole lot of training to do.”

Koda was picked from a litter at Boonefield Labradors in New Hampshire. Boonefield has provided assistance animals for departments across New England and beyond since the early 2000s.

O’Connor said that, so far, raising Koda has been an endlessly rewarding experience. She said she expects Koda to be a very popular asset to the Upton Police force.

“Every single day, someone in the community that gets to meet Koda says that seeing him made their day better,” she said.

“[Koda’s] responsibility and role is to comfort people in times of stress, anxiety, and so on,” she said. “He’s a community resource for everyone to love on.” ~ Ciara O'Connor, Upton Police Handler of Koda, the Comfort Dog