Cop's 'Comfort' Dog K9 Finn, Sworn In As New Haven Police Officer

NEW HAVEN, CT —Meet New Haven's latest sworn member, Finn, the four-legged officer whose job it is to help those suffering from PTSD, anxiety and other impacts of exposure to trauma.

The police department along with For Cameron, Inc. and Forever in My Heart Foundation announced, and welcomed, K9 officer Finn Tuesday.

The highly trained, three and a half-year-old Yellow Labrador Retriever was donated to the department by the local nonprofit For Cameron and trained by Forever in Our Heart Foundation. Finn is the police department's first comfort dog and is recognized by the Americans with Disabilities Act, police said.

Officer Finn will work alongside New Haven police Officer Patti Lambe in situations where police come in contact with people who've suffered a trauma. But Finn's job extends beyond that. He will help with community policing, victim services, peer support and officer wellness.

Monday, Finn was sworn in as a police officer by New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker.

On hand to congratulate Finn were colleagues; service dogs from other agencies across the state.

"We are thrilled to introduce Officer Finn," For Cameron co-founders, Fiona Cullinan Firine and Isabelle, were quoted as saying.

"His arrival marks an exciting milestone in our ongoing mission to support our community," they noted, "And we are eagerly looking forward to seeing Officer Finn make a positive impact on the lives of many.”