(Photo by JEFFREY HASTINGS) One of the many family members of St. John Regional School in Concord who arrived at the school last Thursday pats Ceili, the Allenstown Police Department's comfort dog, who arrived with Chief Michael Stark.

CONCORD — Enveloped in anxiety, worry and confusion, families of St. John Regional School children rushed to the school last week upon hearing the chilling words “active school shooter,” and the fact the calls turned out to be a hoax did little to calm their fears.

That was a job best left to “Ceili.”

Within minutes of the first references to a possible school shooter, police Chief Michael Stark of neighboring Allenstown, with Ceili, the department’s comfort dog, in tow, arrived at St. John Regional, one of nearly a dozen New Hampshire schools hit by the heinous hoax last Thursday morning.

Early on in the incident, a host of frantic parents arrived, jumping out of their cars and rushing up to anyone who may be able to give them some clarity or some type of update as to what was going on at their kids’ school.

As they waited to be reunited with their children, parents were told by police that all children and school staff were safe and unharmed, and that it had been determined that the active shooter calls were hoaxes.

Emotions ran high. Although parents were assured their children were safe, they could be seen hugging, crying, comforting and supporting each other.

Enter Ceili and Chief Stark, who set up between the parents arriving and the parents waiting in line for their children.

Several parents approached Ceili, asking Stark if they could pet the dog. Stark welcomed them, and many tearful parents could be seen experiencing a sense of calm while interacting with Ceili.

Their tears gave way to smiles; a sense of relief was palpable.

Ceili was one of many valuable resources who arrived at the scene. Comfort dogs are sometimes overlooked for the jobs they do, but last Thursday, Ceili showed what a difference comfort dogs can make.

–JEFFREY HASTINGS