Mason the comfort dog makes big community impact for Portsmouth police

PORTSMOUTH — City police detective Rochelle Jones and her canine partner, Mason, have a tough job. They both go into all kinds of situations: intense, tactical, critical, health and well-being checks and many more. They always have each other’s backs.

Mason is a comfort dog and has been with the department for about a year.

A celebration for Mason was held at the Portsmouth Senior Center Thursday, April 11. People attended to find out about the center as well as learn what Mason and Jones do in the line of duty.

Jones gave an example of how Mason helped an elderly man struggling with emphysema connected to an oxygen tank face the untimely death of his son.

“When police responded to the death, the father would not leave the property until he got to see his son," Jones said. "He was very upset and sat in his truck not budging. I asked him if he liked dogs and he said, 'Yes.' I went to get Mason and he jumped up next to him on the seat. The man hugged him and began to cry. Mason spent time with him, allowing him to grieve some emotions and get him through a very bad time in his life on that day.”

Jones later received a letter from the man’s daughter, thanking her for the comfort Mason provided to her loved one.

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The Portsmouth Police Department depends on partnerships and sponsors, such as AT&T FirstNet, to make the comfort dog program work, according to police. Mason began his career at Stratham-based nonprofit Hero Pups, where he was trained before going to Portsmouth police at 4 months old to meet people, though Mason didn’t start “on the job” until November. He is department's first comfort dog. Other Hero Pups showed up for the celebration from different police departments in the state, two of them being Mason’s sisters.

Jones spoke highly of Mason's impact when they go out into the community of schools, libraries, business meetings, public housing and more.

“The most rewarding thing I think is seeing the joy and love he brings and the smiles on people’s faces. It’s unbelievable," Jones said. "When people say, ‘Where’s the dog? Where’s Mason?’ my heart just gets bigger because it’s about their relationship with him.”