Peabody Police Dog Ella A Guest Star Of Student Reading Event

PEABODY, MA — Reading is fun for kids.

It's a little more fun with a dog by their side.

Peabody police comfort dog Ella was a guest star at a recent student reading event where Student Resource Officer Eric Ricci led the students in reading copies of the donated book "Officer Buckle and Gloria." Adhesive Packaging Specialties, of Peabody, donated 30 copies of the books.

The Peggy Rathman-authored book is about a police officer who brings his dog, Gloria, to school to help teach students about safety.

"There is nothing like walking down the hallways and hearing kids yell, 'Ella's here!' said Officer Ricci, who has been the SRO for five years. "It's very rewarding to have kids not be afraid of me in uniform."

Ella joined the Peabody Police Department as a community comfort dog this past spring. She is named after Ella Jade O'Donnell, a Peabody fourth-grader who died of a pediatric brain tumor and inspired "Ella's Army" supporting cancer patients and treatments on the North Shore.

"My biggest thing I speak about at every school is kindness," Ricci said. "At the end of every talk with the kids in the classroom, I talk about kindness and why it's so important in life. I always tell kids: If you're having a bad day don't act out. Speak to a teacher or a trusted adult in the school.

"A two- or three-minute talk can keep you out of trouble for the day. It's OK to talk out your problems."

Adhesive Packaging Specialties Human Resources Manager Dawn Williams said she was excited to offer to help when she heard schools were looking for books to distribute to teachers, Officer Ricci,
and Ella.

"I remember when Ella was sick and sadly passed away, and I love that Ella the comfort dog is named in her honor," Williams said. "I hope this book, which puts safety into the perspective of a young child, gives the students a lot of enjoyment and helps them feel that they are in a safe environment."

Officer Ricci and Ella are now familiar faces around the schools during the day and at extracurricular events. The 27-year veteran officer already qualifies for full retirement but has delayed those plans for five more years so he can stay in the schools alongside his canine companion.

"This job makes it fun to come to work every day," he said. "I love working with the youths of Peabody and building relationships that will last far beyond their school years.

"I love working in the elementary schools just talking to kids, reading to different classes and just popping in to talk about their day."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)