Plymouth Fire Department Introduces Comfort Dog Rio, Providing Support for Firefighters, EMS and Community Members

Rio, a 19-month-old black lab, is the newest addition to the Plymouth Fire Department. Rio is serving as a comfort dog, a rarity for a fire department. (Photo Courtesy Plymouth Fire Department)

PLYMOUTH — Chief Neil Foley is pleased to share that the Plymouth Fire Department has added a new member to the team: a certified comfort dog named Rio.

A rarity among fire departments, Rio’s primary role is contributing to the wellness of Plymouth firefighters and EMS personnel. The availability of comfort dogs is a growing trend across the public safety spectrum, promoting wellness, reducing anxiety and stress, and increasing morale in the workplace.

Rio, a 19-month-old black lab, also serves as an ambassador for the town. That means visiting schools, attending community events, and offering consolation to those in need, including Plymouth residents impacted by house fires and adolescents who witness crashes, overdoses, and other tragedies.

Plymouth Emergency Management Director Christian Horvath is handling the pup.

Rio was acquired from Puppies Behind Bars, a nonprofit organization in New York City that trains incarcerated individuals to raise service dogs for veterans, police, and first responders. The nonprofit provided Rio at no expense to the town.

Rio and Emergency Management Director Horvath are also members of the Plymouth County Comfort Dogs Program through the Office of Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz. Rio is now part of the program’s deployable team of 22 comfort dogs that can provide assistance anywhere throughout Plymouth County.

Horvath, a Coast Guard veteran who’s been Plymouth’s Emergency Management Director for 3 ½ years, first proposed the acquisition of a comfort dog in May 2024. With the blessing of Chief Foley and $5,000 in grant funding from the DA’s office to cover medical expenses and food costs, Horvath reached out to Puppies Behind Bars, becoming the first representative of a fire department served by the nonprofit in its nearly 30 years of existence.

Rio, born on Aug. 13, 2023, was raised and trained with the help of vetted, volunteer inmates at the Fishkill Correctional Facility in Beacon, New York.

“He’s an amazingly well-trained dog,” Horvath said. “It’s been nothing but positive.”

Since coming aboard recently, following the completion of his training in February, Rio has visited each of Plymouth’s seven fire stations several times. He has also accompanied first responders to the scenes of fires, including one in North Plymouth on Monday, March 17. Rio has also visited Town Hall, the Plymouth Center for Active Living, and Manomet Elementary School.

“Rio just has a calming effect wherever we go,” Horvath said. “He just has that aura about him, and everyone seems a little happier. He brings a sense of general calmness. It helps kids with special needs and kids with regular anxiety. It makes them smile when we walk into the class and hang out for 10 minutes.”

Rio joins two other comfort dogs that already serve the community. Baja is a yellow lab assigned to School Resource Officer Alex Smolinsky at South High School, and Sasha is a black lab assigned to School Resource Officer Shawn Ireland at North High School.

“Having a comfort dog like this is a great community resource,” Horvath said.

Chief Neil Foley thanked Emergency Management Director Horvath for his work as Rio’s handler and called the black lab a great addition to the team.

“I’d like to thank Director Horvath for taking the initiative and bringing this opportunity to my attention,” Chief Foley said. “We are already seeing the benefits of having Rio around. And he’s been a great mascot for the Plymouth Fire Department. We look forward to seeing Rio’s continued positive impact on our firefighters, EMS personnel, and every community member he encounters, helping to bring a smile, consolation, and comfort to those who might otherwise be having a rough day.”

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Rio and his handler, Plymouth Emergency Management Director Christian Horvath, visited the Plymouth Center for Active Living on March 6. (Photo Courtesy Plymouth Fire Department)