Belchertown to launch comfort dog program

BELCHERTOWN – Joining communities like Greenfield, Amherst , and Erving, Belchertown will soon be home to a K-9 comfort dog through the police department.

The Select Board approved a comfort dog policy at its meeting on Monday after hearing a presentation from Chief Kevin Pacunas and Amherst Police Officer and Belchertown resident William Laramee, as well as the future handler of the K-9 comfort dog, Officer Valerie Austin.

The board wanted the policy changed slightly to clarify the cost to the town, that the insurance costs will be borne by the handler and via fundraising and others.

Pacunas said the department has been looking into creating a comfort dog program for over a year and said there would be no cost to the department.

“They can help with crises, victims of crimes, fostering trust in the community—a wide of array of situations,” he said. “It’s good for the community. We have the proper handler. I think it would be good for Belchertown.” Laramee said he’s been a resident for 30 years and has been advocating for the program for “quite some time.”

“I’ve done some crisis intervention within the schools, but as it related to [Amherst], we’re super busy,” Laramee said. “I’m guessing if you included the cost that I’m putting into the program, it’s going to be less than $1,000 a year with a hugely beneficial effect.”

He said the connections between law enforcement and public safety are important. One of the goals is to break down barriers.

Laramee also explained how care for the dog and funding for the program would work.

“My wife and I essentially support this program. We pay for his food, we pay for medical insurance, and I do community fundraising,” he said.

Laramee said there is a strong sense of community among officers in the comfort dog program.

Select Board member Ron Aponte asked if Austin would be able to take on the comfort dog program along with her current workload.

Pacunas said she currently serves as the sexual assault investigator, domestic violence liaison, and court officer, making her “the ideal officer to handle this.”

Select Board member Peg Louraine asked Laramee if he’s worked with fire departments in the past. He said yes.

Selectboard Chair Ed Boscher asked about the cost of the program to the town.

Pacunas said Austin has already fronted some money, but there will be some fundraising through a pickleball tournament.

“Val is understanding that this is her dog, she’s going to have to front some money as necessary,” he said. “It’s her dog. [It’ll] sort of fall under the department’s policies and procedures.”

The dog will be a puppy, about eight weeks old, and it will be coming from a breeder, according to Austin. This dog will be coming from Boonefield Labradors, based out of Rindge, New Hampshire.

This is the same breeder the Amherst comfort dog, Auggie, is from. Another policy presented was the transportation of the dog. “Is this a scenario where you’re contemplating a take-home vehicle?” asked Boscher.

Pacunas said when Austin goes to work, she’s assigned a cruiser for that day. Then, she will go home with the dog in her own vehicle.