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Good girl, Dusty: Beloved police dog heads into retirement

  • Posted by The Burbs (Sponsor: North End Motor Sales) 1 hour ago - Filed in News - #Millbury  #Millbury Police Department  #Dusty  #Daniele Fortunato  #Brian Lewos  #police dogs  #community resource dog  #comfort dog  #NEADS Dogs  #Harvard Police Department  - 242 views


    Millbury Police Department (Facebook)

    MILLBURY — Dusty, a community resource dog with the Millbury Police Department whose law enforcement career began nearly 7 years ago in Harvard, has officially retired.

    Officer Daniele Fortunato announced Dusty's retirement in a social media post, saying working alongside the dog has been "the best part of my career."

    Dusty's career dates to 2019, when then-Harvard Police Chief Ed Denmark approved Fortunato's proposal to establish that department's first comfort dog program.

    Fortunato was matched with Dusty through N.E.A.D.S. Dogs in January 2020, just as the pandemic was beginning. Pandemic shutdowns initially kept the pair from working in the community, but Fortunato said the time allowed them to bond and build the foundation for their work together.

    Once they were able to begin making community appearances, Fortunato said the comfort dog program was an immediate success. Dusty worked with families, students, police officers and other community members, developing what Fortunato described as a unique ability to connect with people.

    Dusty later joined Fortunato at the Millbury Police Department, where Police Chief Brian Lewos welcomed her as a community resource dog and she continued working with residents and officers.

    "I am forever grateful for the opportunity to share Dusty with so many and for the privilege of calling her my partner," Fortunato wrote.

    Fortunato signed the retirement announcement as "the leash holder."

    Photos and updates from Dusty's career can be found on Dusty's Facebook page.

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