Framingham State's newest officer is just 13 weeks old and weighs all of 10 pounds

FRAMINGHAM — For this new Framingham State University police officer, the swearing-in ceremony was no dog day afternoon.

Framingham State police welcomed Ramsey, an English Labrador retriever that will soon act as a comfort K-9 for FSU students, as the newest addition to the force. FSU interim Police Chief Marty Laughlin swore in the eager four-legged officer, accompanied by Cpl. Shawn Deleskey.

The event took place at FSU's Alumni Room at the McCarthy Center, with FSU President Nancy Niemi among those welcoming Ramsey to the university family.

"Isn't it ironic that dogs teach us more about humanity than people do?" Niemi said during the swearing-in, followed by a seemingly on-cue bark from Ramsey. "Through their unconditional love and their ability to listen, they do something for us that almost no other human can."

"Officer Ramsey will be a true asset to Framingham State University Police Department," Laughlin said. "Once Officer Ramsey is trained, he will be utilized to handle our more sensitive situations."

The chief said Deleskey and Ramsey, who's just 13 weeks old and weighs 10 pounds, will train together for the next six to seven months.

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Officer's love for animals, other integrated forces spurred idea

Deleskey said the dog will be a valuable asset to FSU's faculty, staff and students.

"Ramsey will be serving the community in a unique, positive way and he will be trained to become a comfort care canine through animal assistant services out in Worcester," he said.

Laughlin delivered the oath to Ramsey, who barked along as Deleskey recited the oath.

In an interview afterward, the Deleskey said the program came about because of interest in it, as well as his love for animals. He said he looked at other college campuses that have integrated dogs into their police forces, including Bridgewater State University, the University of New Hampshire and Fitchburg State University.

"There was talk of the department wanting a comfort care dog," Deleskey explained. "I put together a proposal ... it all just came together that way. It took months and months of work. ... It really wasn't easy."

Deleskey said he eventually settled on a breeder in Vermont.

Niemi said that she's excited for Ramsey to join FSU.

"I think it's wonderful thing for our community — it brings nothing but comfort and connection," she said. "Dogs have a particular way of bringing connection and comfort so that I think that as we try to make sure that we maintain that it's a way to create that in ways that we can't do it as humans."

Comfort dogs remain stable during 'unusual experiences'

According to Hero Pups, a New Hampshire-based nonprofit that works with police departments to train comfort dogs, the dogs can be brought into settings like victim interviews.

"Comfort dogs are specially trained to not only provide comfort, but also to be stable in unusual experiences such as riding in cruisers, large yelling crowds and tense situations," Hero Pups' website reads.

"I think it's important because I think mental health is a huge thing," Delskey said. "Police officers are one thing but dogs don't see color, race, gender or any of that stuff.

"And everybody loves dogs."

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Framingham State swears in Ramsey as first comfort K-9