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UMassD PD welcomes four-legged recruit, swears in Bella

Four-month-old Labrador raises right paw and vows to promote pawsitivity on campus

UMassD PD K9 Bella, in the arms of her handler, Sergeant Heather Syrett

The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Police Department's newest recruit, Bella, officially joined the squad on Tuesday, Nov. 12 in a ceremony where she raised her right paw and pledged to promote pawsitivity on the UMass Dartmouth campus. The first K-9 officer in UMassD PD's history, Bella's beat will focus on community engagement and providing comfort during mental health-related calls.

The youngest employee in the university's history will begin her basic training in January at Professional K9 in Middleboro, MA, where she'll work through the American Kennel Club's Canine Good Citizen program. After successful completion of the academy, Bella will have her own request form, making it easy for students, faculty, and staff to call on her for events or personal comfort sessions.

"Woof!"
Bella

Police Chief John Souza, Bella, and Chancellor Mark Fuller pledge to promote "paw and order" at new employee orientation.

"It's our hope that Bella will bring smiles to everyone who meets her and that she'll help our department build trust and relationships across campus, especially with our students," said UMass Dartmouth Chief of Police, John Souza. "During emotionally challenging times, a calm and well-trained comfort dog offers therapeutic benefits, such as reducing stress and anxiety. These are Bella's marching orders, and I know she's up to the task."

The four-month-old black Labrador retriever is handled by Sergeant Heather Syrett, a five-year veteran of the UMass Dartmouth Police Department and a longtime animal lover who Souza described as a perfect fit to work with Bella.

"I'm really excited to interact more with students," said Syrett. "Officers can sometime be perceived as unapproachable, but we want to be a student-centered resource on campus. Dogs can naturally bridge the gap in communication between people and help connect us in a way that feels easy and inviting."

Bella is the second Labrador on campus with a UMass Pass and an official job title, joining Gracie, the STEM Lab Lab, as UMass Dartmouth's co-ambassadors of good vibes. While students generally refrain from approaching most working dogs in vests, they're encouraged to say hello to Bella and Gracie when spotted around campus.