Tewksbury Police Introduce New Comfort Dog

TEWKSBURY (CBS) – The Tewksbury Police Department has a new comfort dog named Waffles. The department held a naming contest for their new team member, and one young student's idea was chosen.

The 9-week old Australian labradoodle puppy came from New Hampshire. He will train with School Resource Officer Eric Hanley.

Once fully trained, Waffles will work to calm students and help build relationships between kids and the police department.

"It's astounding what a dog's presence can do," Hanley said. "We are all super excited. The sky's the limit."

The contest winner, Heath Brook Elementary School second-grader Jack Johnson, met Waffles at the police station on Wednesday. Jack said he nominated the name Waffles because a photo of the puppy reminded him of a waffle, and because his family's dog loves to eat waffles.

Police received almost 1,000 name suggestions.