WEST BOYLSTON, Mass. – Working at a jail is far from easy. It’s why the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office is hoping their new staff therapy K9 Milo can enhance the work environment at what can sometimes be a tough place.

“Some folks who maybe haven’t been, you know, often don’t smile around here, can’t help themselves when he’s around,” said Sheriff Lew Evangelidis. “But more importantly, he’s available, especially if we have one of those unfortunate moments which do happen. You know, when you have a stressful, serious situation and you want to just give people a chance to kind of decompress.”

Milo, a nearly three-month-old English Labrador Retriever, has a number of goals. Enhance staff well-being, reduce workplace stress, and create a more supportive environment for employees.

Officer Lindsay McNamara, a nearly 10-year veteran of the sheriff’s office, will serve as Milo’s trainer in hopes of helping him meet those goals.

“We have to do basic obedience and advance obedience training as well as observation hours for the comfort certificate,” said McNamara.

Milo’s introduction comes at a time mental health has taken the spotlight. Evangelidis says Milo is another tool for his office to foster a culture of rehabilitation for everyone in the building including staff.

“He’s just there for us when we need him,” Evangelidis said. “He’s here. And when you don’t think you need him, like after McNamara said, we also need him. So, he’s been phenomenal and we’re so glad. It’s one of the best decisions we ever made.”

McNamara says the sheriff’s office is already seeing results with Milo, that is, when the little guy isn’t tuckered out after a long day of training.

“A lot of people, when I cross paths like walking in the corridors, everyone’s like, ‘Oh my god, this is exactly what I needed at this moment.’ It’s like he’s a ray of sunshine.”

Officer McNamara expects Milo to be fully certified in the next 6 to 12 months.