The Greenwich Police Department's facility dog Mason is now on the job full time, working alongside Community Impact Officer Dan Paladino after completing roughly nine months of specialized training.

The department announced Thursday, Aug. 13 that the English Labrador had officially joined the Community Impact Section, a unit composed of a sergeant, a detective handling juvenile matters, two community impact officers and two school resource officers.

Mason was first introduced to the department in November 2025 through the ColdSprings Healing Paws Foundation in Ipswich, New Hampshire, a nonprofit that trains and certifies dogs for therapy work, Patch reported at the time. Before going full time, he was required to log 1,000 public access hours. As of May, he was still in training, with completion slated for the end of July, according to the Greenwich Sentinel.

His training includes detecting cortisol, a hormone the body releases under stress, which allows him to sense when someone nearby may be anxious or overwhelmed. He also learned behavior interruption and deep pressure therapy techniques.

The department said Mason will assist during community outreach programs, public events and interactions with children and families. His role is to help reduce anxiety during sensitive interactions and make the department more approachable to residents who might otherwise feel uneasy around police.

When GPD first paired Mason with Paladino in November 2025, the department described him as a cuddly, gentle dog with a big personality, ready to bring comfort wherever he goes.

Mason's name is a nod to Mason Street in Greenwich, chosen to reflect his connection to the town.

The department's Facebook announcement drew roughly 1,000 reactions and 74 comments within two days. Residents can follow the Greenwich Police Department on Facebook for updates on Mason's community appearances.