Mary Byrne
Bingo Spells Comfort for Belmont PD
By Mary Byrne, Belmont Voice staff
A new furry friend has joined the Belmont Police Department, and he’s eager to meet you.
Bingo, a four-month-old Australian labradoodle, recently arrived from Monadnock Labradoodles in New Hampshire. According to Belmont police, Monadnock staff helped the department find the dog most suitable for comfort dog work.
“He’s going to be great for community events,” said Officer Brian Conneely, Bingo’s handler. “And he’s going to be great at de-escalation. If someone goes through a traumatic event — when you’re sitting down talking to someone … It’s pretty intimidating. Seeing a friendly face like Bingo can kind of ease the tension.”
Studies published in the National Library of Medicine and the Public Library of Science show that interacting with a dog can reduce stress and anxiety. Once Bingo completes an intensive training program through Auntie Dog Training Studio in Tewksbury, Bingo and Conneely will support individuals experiencing trauma, stress, or grief and foster “positive interactions between public and law enforcement,” Chief James MacIsaac said in a statement.
Adoption and training were donated by residents Liz and Graham Allison, who have supported the department in other ways in the past, including the donation of K9 Barron, according to Conneely. Food and other needs are part of the Allisons’ donation.
As far as training goes, Bingo is in part-time training at Auntie Dog Training Studio. Come April, he’ll begin a month-long program involving shadowing the Tewksbury Police Department comfort dogs.
Conneely, a five-year department member, said he approached MacIsaac a few years ago, introducing the idea of a comfort dog. He said MacIsaac was receptive and eventually thought it would be a good idea to pursue.
“Mental health is a serious thing in our town, in our country, in our world,” Conneely said. “We have great resources to be able to help with that. We now have a clinician, Emily — she’s amazing. [Bingo] is just another resource.”
Beyond making appearances at the schools, the senior center, and other community spaces, Bingo will also comfort first responders. “These people go to some serious calls,” Conneely said, speaking also of the fire department. “And seeing this little guy walk in the station puts a smile on their faces. He’s needed for the mental health of the community and here.”
The Belmont Police Department is the first in the area to adopt a comfort dog program, Conneely said. Police in other towns, including Watertown and Arlington, have reached out, expressing interest in bringing a dog to their departments.
As Bingo’s handler, Conneely — who grew up in Belmont and is an assistant coach of the Belmont High School football team — said enhancing the role of community policing is part of his way of giving back to the community.
“[Bingo] is very friendly, and he gets very, very excited,” he said. “He can’t wait to get into the schools and read some books to the kids.”
