Over the past several years, AT&T has collaborated with the organization Hero Pups to support comfort dog programs in New England. These combined efforts have enabled
public safety agencies in several states, including New Hampshire and Maine, to bring these exceptional animals to their officers and communities.

Hero Pups, based in Exeter, NH, has a long history of working with not only police
departments but also with first responders and veterans. Hero Pups works primarily with
shelter and rescue dogs, pairing and training hundreds of dogs with local veterans and
first responders.

Recently, AT&T supported Hero Pups’ efforts to establish a comfort dog in Massachusetts at the Somerville Police Department. Earlier this year, the department introduced Fluff, a yellow lab puppy who is in training with Hero Pups. Fluff – named after the locally-made marshmallow treat – has engaged in community events and will formally join the department later this year.

Unlike typical police dogs, comfort dogs work to ease the trauma for individuals impacted by violence, tragedy, or traumatic events. They serve both community and the
officers and staff within a department. Many resources exist that can improve coping
and recovery, enhance morale, decrease stress and reduce emotional distress in first
responders. Studies have shown that interacting with animals can have a positive
impact on these stressors and more.

AT&T’s support for Hero Pups comes as part of our longstanding relationship with public safety in Massachusetts and across the country. Through FirstNet®, Built with AT&T, a nationwide communications network built by AT&T dedicated to first responders, we collaborate closely with the public safety community. In doing so, we recognized the need for resources focused on first responder health and wellness. To amplify and support first responder health and wellness efforts, we support programs and partnerships that bring wellness tools directly to our local public safety heroes. And Hero Pups is truly making a difference by giving our first responders a tool unlike any
other.

We thank Hero Pups for all that they do to support first responders. We applaud
Somerville PD and their leadership for prioritizing officer health and wellness and for
taking action by instituting this comfort dog program. By bolstering their ranks with this
new four-legged recruit, they’ve certainly given Somerville a new best friend.