*MEDIA ADVISORY – RSVP REQUIRED* Gloucester Police Welcome New Comfort Dog to Department

Ace had been positioned with a foster household previous to becoming a member of the division, the place he obtained his consolation canine coaching from the Golden Opportunities for Independence in Walpole, Mass. He and his handler, Officer Peter Sutera, will attend some extra trainings within the coming weeks to get to know each other somewhat higher and study extra about working collectively. Lt. Jeremiah Nicastro and Faculty Useful resource Officer Michael Scola will function the backup handlers for Ace.

The thought of bringing a consolation animal like Ace onboard is one the Gloucester Police Division has thought of for a few years, however the work to make it a actuality formally began simply two months in the past.

“Our mayor is a robust, sturdy advocate of psychological well being consciousness, so when she heard about this canine and the way we have been going to make use of him, she was all in,” Lt. Nicastro mentioned. “Ace can be a profit and an asset to the group, and assist to proceed constructing upon our relationship with residents. Ace goes to be very blissful right here.”

Working with a consolation canine is a useful resource Officer Sutera has been taken with earlier than he even began his profession in regulation enforcement. Previous to becoming a member of the Gloucester Police Division, he labored at a residential, particular training faculty, the place he noticed the optimistic impression consolation animals may have firsthand.

“You possibly can see an absolute change within the demeanor within the youngsters from in the future to the subsequent after they knew the canine was coming,” Officer Sutera mentioned. “It’s loopy the quantity of help we’ve gotten via this entire course of. I’m excited to begin this work, that is going to be wonderful.”

The $16,000 to carry Ace to the division has been funded solely by donations. The  Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism, which gives monetary help for households caring for a liked one with autism and educates the general public about autism spectrum dysfunction (ASD), helped to cowl the preliminary price of buying Ace and the Gloucester Police Division is now internet hosting a number of fundraisers to repay the group for his or her kindness.

“The Doug Flutie Jr. Basis for Autism is proud to associate with the Gloucester Police Division Neighborhood Affect Unit in retaining folks and households with autism protected of their group,” Nick Savarese, Government Director of The Flutie Basis mentioned. “With the assistance of the Flutie Basis’s preliminary funding, the Gloucester Police Division will improve autism consciousness in the neighborhood with Ace, the brand new Neighborhood Useful resource Canine. The Flutie Basis upholds its dedication to security within the autism group by offering essential programming and companies via collaboration with group organizations and first responders, just like the Gloucester Police Division. As folks and households with autism know, one horrifying and customary conduct of kids with autism is the tendency to wander, usually putting the kid in harmful conditions. Collectively, with our valued group partnerships, we will break down the boundaries to full group consciousness and inclusion for these affected by autism.”

A GoFundMe page has been created the place these could submit a donation. Any extra funding previous the $10,000 aim, which officers will use to repay the Flutie Basis and hope to lift by the summer season, can be used to assist help Ace and his companies.

Different native companies and organizations have made donations to Ace and the Gloucester Police Division already together with:

• TLC Complete Life Pure Pet Meals, which can present a lifetime provide of meals for Ace.
• Dr. Jeffrey French from the Cape Ann Veterinary Hospital, who will present free annual visits, vaccines and month-to-month drugs.
• Essex County Coop, who donated $300 price of canine cages, canine beds and toys for Ace.
• EZYDOG Harness, who donated $300 price of canine harnesses in addition to clean patches to put enterprise logos.
• Lyon-Waugh Auto Group, who’s making a big donation to this system.

Native companies may also make a donation to “undertake” Ace for a month, the place he’ll put on a patch with their enterprise emblem on his vest for the month. This cash can be donated to the Gloucester Fund, which works to advertise civic, cultural, instructional, athletic, or different benevolent functions or actions in good thing about the residents of Gloucester. Companies who’re could contact the Neighborhood Affect Unit at 978-325-5470.

Specifically designed patches may also be out there on the market within the coming weeks for group members to purchase and present their help for Ace. Extra details about this can be shared within the close to future.

Essex County District Lawyer Jonathan Blodgett has pledged monetary help for Ace and is working with the Gloucester Police and Faculty Departments to introduce a program to supply extra help to youngsters who’ve skilled trauma past the Deal with With Care program.

Because it was launched in January 2020, the Neighborhood Affect Unit has labored every day to additional strengthen the relationships between officers and the group, connecting with roughly 600 folks in want.

The Unit, which is headed by Lt. Nicastro, equivalent to giving backpacks with toiletries and different provides to homeless residents in the neighborhood and internet hosting weekly online game nights for kids in the neighborhood.

“The Neighborhood Affect Unit has offered invaluable companies and assets to the complete Gloucester group because it started,” Chief Conley mentioned. “I couldn’t be prouder of all that they’ve performed, and to have Ace on board to assist additional help and serve our residents. Thanks to everybody for his or her help and for individuals who have helped to make this concept a actuality.”

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