NEWS RELEASE: New Hampshire 911 Comfort Dog Graduates Training, Joins Team Full-Time

LACONIA, N.H.  – New Hampshire 911’s comfort dog, Winni, has officially completed her training with Hero Pups, marking nearly a year of preparation alongside her handler, Supervisor Abigail Rider. The Division of Emergency Services and Communications (DESC) celebrated the milestone with an event recognizing the dedication, time, and effort both Rider and Winni put into building the skills necessary for this role.

Winni, a golden retriever, was introduced as the Division’s first comfort dog in 2024 as part of an initiative to enhance mental health support for New Hampshire’s 911 personnel. From the start, Rider took on the responsibility of ensuring Winni’s training was tailored to the fast-paced, high-stress environment of a 911 call center. The two worked closely with Hero Pups, a New Hampshire-based nonprofit that specializes in training service and support dogs for first responders and veterans.

“Congratulations to Winni and her handler, Abby, on completing their training and joining the New Hampshire 911 team full time,” said Governor Kelly Ayotte. “I thank Abby and Winni for their dedication to supporting our hardworking 911 dispatchers, and partners Hero Pups and AT&T FirstNet for their expert guidance and support of Winni’s training program.”

“The mental health and wellbeing of our team is of critical importance,” said New Hampshire Department of Safety Commissioner Robert L. Quinn. “Winni will be there for our dedicated employees amidst the most difficult of calls and incidents, and I look forward to watching her fully integrate with our staff. I am also proud of Supervisor Rider for the tremendous amount of time and effort she has given to this program.”

Winni and Rider’s training process involved everything from mastering obedience and socialization to exposure training in real-world public safety environments. Winni made regular visits to New Hampshire’s Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) to acclimate to the sounds, stress, and structure of 911 operations. Rider dedicated countless hours to reinforcing these skills, ensuring Winni was prepared for the unique role of supporting telecommunicators during challenging moments.

“The amount of time and effort Abby has put into this program is truly remarkable,” said Mark Doyle, director of DESC. “This milestone represents nearly a year of rigorous training, long hours, and a deep commitment to ensuring Winni can provide comfort and support to our team.”

The success of the program would not have been possible without the support of Hero Pups, which provided expert guidance throughout the training process, and AT&T FirstNet, which contributed a $7,000 grant to help launch the program.

“The dedicated women and men of New Hampshire’s emergency communications centers are public safety’s first line of response,” said Ryan Clark, Regional Director, AT&T. “They deal with traumatic events, often one after another, daily. That’s where Winni comes in. Comfort dog programs help decrease stress, boost morale, improve coping, and so much more. We thank Governor Ayotte for her continued support of New Hampshire’s first responders and applaud the New Hampshire Department of Safety and the Division of Emergency Services and Communications for prioritizing the health and wellness of their dedicated personnel. We’re grateful for the ongoing collaboration with Hero Pups and know that because of them, Winni is more than ready to take on her job full-time.”

Winni’s role will extend beyond New Hampshire 911, with plans for her to assist the Department of Safety’s Peer Support team and participate in Critical Incident Stress Debriefings. She will also be available upon request to support first responders across the state, reinforcing DESC’s commitment to mental health and wellness in public safety.

The event celebrated the completion of this extensive training process and highlighted the dedication of Rider, Winni, and the partners who helped bring the program to life. Attendees had the opportunity to see firsthand how Winni interacts with telecommunicators and learn more about the impact of comfort dogs in high-stress environments.