Captain, the Blackstone Police Department’s comfort dog, an English Labrador Retriever, was back to training in August. The popular pooch has been a regular visitor to local schools and has been working hard meeting new friends throughout the community. (Photo Courtesy Blackstone Police Department)
BLACKSTONE — Mr. April, calendar canine Captain, has released his own line of merch.
Captain, the Blackstone Police Department’s comfort dog, will appear on his own special trading card, an “I Met Captain” peel-away decal, an exclusive BPD Captain the Comfort K-9 patch and as April’s pinup poster-puppy in a newly released 2026 Cash for K-9’s fundraising calendar.
“Captain is now 8 months old and weighs approximately 60 pounds,” reports his handler, School Resource Officer (SRO) Joseph Niemczyk. “He passed the third phase of his training, Canine Good Citizen — Urban Canine. Now he’s on to the final phase of preparation: Therapy Dog training through Therapy Dogs United.”
Earlier this year, Captain and SRO Niemczyk were on their way to train along the Blackstone River Bikeway when the puppy suffered a lower leg fracture while exiting the vehicle. The eager puppy was healed up and ready to get back to his comfort dog training after just a couple weeks in a Captain America leg cast.
“We’re so happy to welcome Captain back to our ranks,” said Chief Gregory Gilmore. “He’s a remarkable animal, and part of our family here at the Blackstone Police Department. I hope every resident of Blackstone gets the chance to meet Captain soon.”
Captain’s official Comfort K-9 patch has been designed and produced and is now available through the Blackstone Police Union for a $10 donation. This project was generously donated by Ron Beaulieu of R. Brien Paving Company in Blackstone. Beaulieu, a lifelong friend of SRO Niemczyk, is a dedicated supporter of the Blackstone Police Department.
All proceeds from the patch project will directly support Captain’s needs, including equipment, toys, bones, food, and accessories. Funds will also be used to produce Captain’s trading cards and stickers, which SRO Niemczyk regularly hands out at schools and community events.
A donation account has been established through the Union at Unibank under the name “Blackstone Police Canine Donation Account.”
“Captain will also be featured in the 2026 Cash for K-9’s calendar!” SRO Niemczyk proudly announced. “The project was created by Attleboro High School senior Jeremiah Cooper of 848 Photography to help support police dogs across Massachusetts and Rhode Island.”
The 2026 Cash for K-9’s calendars are available for $20 each, and all proceeds are donated back to participating towns to help cover K-9 program costs. If you’re interested in purchasing a calendar, you can Venmo Jeremiah (@Mark-Cooper-162 or scan the QR code on the graphic below) or call the Blackstone Police Department at 508-883-1212 for more information.
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Blackstone Police comfort dog Captain will also be featured in the 2026 Cash for K-9’s calendar, available for $20 each. All proceeds are donated back to participating towns to help cover K-9 program costs. If you’re interested in purchasing a calendar, you can Venmo Jeremiah (scan QR code above) or call the Blackstone Police Department at 508-883-1212 for more information. (Photo Courtesy Blackstone Police Department)
Blackstone Police SRO Joseph Niemczyk regularly hands out comfort dog Captain’s trading cards and stickers at schools and community events. (Photo Courtesy Blackstone Police Department)
The back of Captain’s trading card reveals his key statistics. (Photo Courtesy Blackstone Police Department)
Blackstone Police comfort dog Captain wants to meet as many Blackstone residents as possible while he’s on the beat. (Photo Courtesy Blackstone Police Department)
Blackstone Police comfort dog Captain took a break earlier this year to recover from a leg injury, but now he’s back to work, starring in a K-9 calendar, on trading cards, patches and decals. (Photo Courtesy Blackstone Police Department)
Captain’s official Comfort K-9 patch has been designed and produced and is now available through the Blackstone Police Union for a $10 donation. (Photo Courtesy Blackstone Police Department)
Blackstone Police comfort dog Captain joined the force in June when he was 9-weeks old. (Photo Courtesy Blackstone Police Department)
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