October 23, 2023 Submitted by Annie Gaughen, President of the Hingham Working Dog Foundation
On Wednesday, September 27th , Hingham Working Dog Foundation President Anne Gaughen joined Opry, Hingham’s comfort dog, Officer Tom Ford, Hingham Police Chief David Jones, and the staff of the Fruit Center in Hingham to celebrate the significant donation the team at the Fruit Center made to Opry’s care and safe transport.
“We were inspired by the Hingham Working Dog Foundation’s unique approach to offer comfort and calmness for those in our community who are in need of assistance,” Michael Dwyer from the Fruit Center shares. “We were delighted to support Officer Ford and Opry in their mission to aid the community.” Gaughen explains how important this donation is: “As a young non-profit, this donation makes all the difference for our continued operation and success. It not only provides Opry with resources she needs, like a safe vehicle, veterinary care, food, and comfort items, but it also creates a valuable partnership between HWDF and the community.”
Opry joined Hingham Public Schools in 2022. “Officer Ford was able to work with the School and Town Officials to bring a comfort dog program to Hingham,” Police Chief David Jones explains. “He was passionate and knew the incredible value that having a comfort dog in his position as a School Resource Officer would bring to our school community and beyond, he had a vision and never lost sight of that. Opry came from a kill shelter in Texas and was brought to Massachusetts by an incredible organization, Paws New England. She was evaluated and it was determined that she would make an excellent comfort dog and subsequently adopted by Officer Ford and the HPD with the help of a generous grant to get the program up and running from District Attorney Tim Cruz.” She is primarily stationed at Hingham High School, and is a popular figure in school hallways and social media alike.
The support that our residents have given to Officer Ford and Opry has been overwhelming,” Chief Jones continues. “She has quickly become the most popular member of our department and I’m excited to see what the future holds for them both. I am proud of the work that Officer Ford has done to make this program so successful, he is a role-model for other police comfort dog handlers across our region and is often called on to help setup new programs or speak at events on the benefits of having a comfort dog.
“Opry and many other area police comfort dogs have been instrumental in forming relationships between the police and the communities they serve,” Officer Ford explains. “Opry has been so well received in our town and has put a lot of smiles on people's faces.” This is not the first time the Fruit Center has significantly reinvested in the South Shore community. “The Fruit Center Marketplace is grateful for the support we have received from the South Shore community for 50 years. In appreciation for that support, we are dedicated to lending a helping hand to numerous local organizations and charities. In previous years, the Fruit Center Marketplace has helped over 140 local groups with varying levels of contributions,” Dwyer shares.
“Partnerships like this with both local organizations and individuals make all the difference for a new non-profit,” Gaughen says. “We have a lot of work to do to ensure that Opry can continue to safely and comfortably support the community. We are always in need of volunteers and of course, donations are very welcome. What the Fruit Center does so well is nourish our community, and this donation enables Opry to continue caring for that community. We are so grateful!”
More information about Hingham Working Dog Foundation can be found at hinghamworkingdogfoundation.org.