(Courtesy photo) Zoey, a lab mix comfort dog, has joined the state Department of Corrections.

CONCORD — Zoey, a young lab mix rescue dog found emaciated and tied up outside a Winn-Dixie grocery store in Florida, is beginning a new life as a nationally registered, certified therapy dog, teaming up with Tina Thurber, the Department of Corrections’ administrator of recruitment and onboarding.

Zoey is the DOC’s second comfort dog, joining Riley, who works out of the Northern New Hampshire Correctional Facility with his handler, Lt. Michael Wedge.

Zoey recently graduated from the Brevard County, Florida, Sheriff’s Office Paws and Stripes College. Local 1984 of the SEA/SEIU generously donated funds so Thurber could attend a certified comfort dog-handling program in Florida.

The program taught Thurber how to partner with Zoey, and both successfully completed the program just last week.

Thurber and Zoey are now about to become a nationally registered, certified therapy dog team.

“We are thrilled to welcome Zoey to our team,” DOC Commissioner Helen Hanks said. “Our corrections professionals working inside the prison walls are in a high stress environment every day. Riley showed us the value that comfort dogs bring to our team at our northern correctional facility. Having a comfort dog now available for staff in our southern facilities is an important tool to assist with stress management and anxiety experienced on the job.”

The DOC’s comfort dog program is part of several department led initiatives aimed at employee wellness. Zoey will make regular visits to each of the DOC’s facilities to visit with staff, aid in critical incident debriefings, and attend community outreach events.

“Paws and Stripes gave Zoey a second chance, and it is this same second chance mission that drove me to pursue a career in corrections 18 years ago,” said Thurber. “I am honored to have been trusted as Zoey’s handler and look forward to seeing the amazing work she will do with our team.”

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.