I’ve already sat with some kids and walked a couple of kids with really bad anxiety to class, and that was within the first hour that we got there Friday.”

School Resource Officer Westley Lemar

PORTSMOUTH — The Portsmouth Police Department’s newest member has jet-black hair, stands under two feet tall, has four legs, and is cute as a button.

But show some respect, for this is Officer Holly — the department’s first comfort dog.

Holly, an 18-month-old black Lab who spent her first day of work here last Friday, was officially sworn in by Town Clerk Jennifer West at Town Hall Monday. Although she was a little whiny before taking the oath — School Resource Officer Westley Lemar, her partner, said Holly hasn’t gotten used to her police vest yet — she momentarily held up her paw as West swore her in.

Afterward, Holly “saluted” Police Chief Brian Peters before showing off some of the other 40 commands she knows, such as playing peek-a-boo, walking between Officer Lemar’s legs, “taking a photo,” and giving her partner a smooch.

“Any opportunity to have outreach with the community is great. This is a great addition and we’re definitely looking forward to her being on board,” said Chief Peters, noting that part of Holly’s job is to enhance positive relationships between police and the school community. The department is working on giving Holly her own social media account, providing another opportunity for the public to interact with local police.

Holly isn’t on board just to put a good face on the police department, however. As her job title implies, she also aims to bring comfort to students who have anxiety and mental health issues or are dealing with bullying, especially when they’re in a school setting.

“I’ve already sat with some kids and walked a couple of kids with really bad anxiety to class, and that was within the first hour that we got there Friday,” said Officer Lemar, who’s assigned to the middle and elementary schools. “I e-mailed all the (school) psychologists, and we’re going to set up meetings with the kids.”

Holly will also be available for special situations outside of the schools to provide connections with residents, as well as reduce anxiety and increase communication with victims and witnesses. 

Where’s Holly from?

Holly was gifted to the department by the New York nonprofit known as Puppies Behind Bars, which trains incarcerated individuals to raise service dogs for wounded war veterans and first responders. At the same time, the dogs benefit inmates dealing with anxiety and other mental health issues.

“It kind of becomes their dog. It gives them purpose — something to do,” Officer Lemar added.

Holly became a prison dog at 8 weeks and received about 10,000 hours of socialization training. “She lived in the prison but on weekends she’d go to volunteers’ houses and they bring them to schools, to malls, to hospitals,” Officer Lemar said.

The SRO learned about Puppies Behind Bars during a symposium he attended on comfort dogs. “Wes did most of the legwork and the research,” said Police Capt. Richard Ruest, Jr. “He put the proposal together and Chief Peters approved it. There’s no cost to the town; we’re trying to do everything through donations.”

Officer Lemar spent two weeks in upstate New York recently for a rigorous training session with Holly.

“Every day we would bring her out, have breakfast, and then we would go to Bedford Hills Correctional Facility, which is a women’s prison.  We’d train her there for about five hours, and then we’d go out and go on these two-hour hikes. Then we’d go to a grocery store or a diner — just some place so they can learn to interact with people, what commands to use, how to keep them calm. It was tough — long days for two straight weeks. But it was good; I really connected with her,” said Officer Lemar.

Holly lives at her partner’s home, and has been getting along swimmingly with Officer Lemar’s other dog, who’s about to turn 5. “They wrestled all night last night,” he said.

Students love her

Holly’s impact on students has been immediate. After leaving Town Hall Monday, she and Officer Lemar headed back to the middle school just as students flooded into the hallways while transitioning to different classes.

Holly got swarmed as kids bent down to pet her, tell her how cute she was, and shared stories about their own dogs with Officer Lemar. Despite the overwhelming attention lavished upon her, Holly was the picture of gentle serenity. 

Allergies have not been an issue yet, said Officer Lemar as he led Holly into a classroom for more introductions. Some parents of students with dog allergies allowed their kids permission to interact with Holly as long as they washed their hands afterwards, he said.

Officer Westley said when he enrolled in the Police Academy, he never dreamed he’d end up working in the schools — never mind holding a leash with a four-legged friend on the other end.

“This is a great gig; my partner’s a dog,” he said. 

Holly is one lucky dog, too. “She loves to work, and she loves getting lots of attention.” 

While it’s too soon to say what Holly’s favorite place in the school is, Officer Lemar proffered a guess.

“We haven’t stepped foot in the cafeteria yet. That will definitely be No. 1.”