Taunton Police Department Adds Maggie the Comfort Dog to the Force

The Taunton Police Department just got a whole lot cuter.

Taunton PD recently introduced its newest four-legged employee named Maggie, the official comfort dog for the department, and she is ready to report for duty.

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Meet Maggie, the Official Comfort Dog for Taunton PD

Maggie is a 9-week-old Golden Retriever and she arrived at the Taunton Police Department early last month from Golden Opportunities for Independence, a program based in Walpole that aims to empower people with a disability to live a more fulfilling life with the love and assistance of a dog and a mentor.

Maggie’s arrival in May perfectly aligned with the start of Mental Health Awareness Month, which aims to bring awareness to the importance of mental health, fight stigma, provide support, and advocate for policies that support millions affected by mental illness.

The Positive Benefits of Comfort Dogs

Comfort dogs like Maggie have been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and feelings of loneliness. Other local police departments, like New Bedford and Seekonk, have added a comfort dog to their forces in the past and have seen success. Now, it’s Maggie’s turn to bring comfort to the residents of Taunton.

Once she graduates, Maggie will help with de-escalation and provide comfort to those who are in distress.

“We are excited to welcome Maggie to our department where she will work alongside our mental health co-response clinician to provide comfort and support those in crisis,” said Taunton Police Chief Edward Walsh. “We hope that Maggie will help to bridge connections between our department and the public, while simultaneously being a calming presence to all.”

Who Named Her Maggie?

After a vote was cast amongst the department, the name Maggie was chosen in honor of the department’s first female officer, The department shared that in 1943, Margaret Stevens was appointed as the department’s first policewoman and went on to become a senior officer before retiring in 1962.

Welcome to the force, Maggie! Keep up the tail wags and cuddles.