Madison White was about to experience one of the most harrowing moments of her life: facing her abuser in court.

Then, Portland police introduced her to an 8-week-old puppy who made the traumatic experience a little bit easier.

His name is Archie, and since April 2025 he’s served as the department’s first comfort dog.

“Just to have a companion right there that you can just pet on and love on (is) really nice,” White said of her experience with Archie last year.

The dog’s presence often helps victims like White feel more comfortable, especially when they’re in shock, said his handler, Officer Les Smith, who’s affectionately known as “Archie’s driver.”

“In a scenario like that, people want calmness, but they still love the dog there,” Smith said.

In May, Archie and Smith headed to the site of the Searsmont explosion, providing some comfort to the first responders who had rushed to the scene of the catastrophic fire and explosion.

ARCHIE’S TRAINING

Archie’s role has meant that he is trained differently than other police dogs. Smith has spent months working to ensure that Archie has a calm demeanor during crises so he doesn’t add to the stress by behaving like many young dogs might, nipping at whatever’s within reach.

He’s enrolled in a dog training curriculum run by Echo Ridge, which focuses on helping dogs develop the skills needed to provide emotional support and positive community engagement.

“Unlike traditional police K-9s, which are trained for specialized law enforcement functions such as tracking, detection, apprehension or evidence recovery, Archie’s role is centered on building relationships, supporting individuals during difficult situations, and enhancing community outreach efforts,” Portland police spokesperson Brad Nadeau said.

The department acquired Archie from a breeder in New Hampshire that specializes in breeding police therapy Labradors.

Trained comfort dogs have been observed to “reduce stress biomarkers” in people who have experienced trauma, said Jennie Dapice, an assistant professor of occupational therapy at the University of New England whose research includes animal-assisted therapy.

Dapice said research shows that trauma victims who have interacted with a comfort dog have lower heart rate, cortisol levels and blood pressure — all signs of a reduction in stress.

“Now that we know that (comfort dogs) are beneficial, it’s really important to spread their love and increase the amount of people the dogs benefit,” Dapice said.

OPENING DOORS

Archie often visits schools, hospitals and local businesses, taking his infectious demeanor everywhere he goes.

During a police outreach event at the downtown library in early June, Portlanders’ faces lit up as they pet his smooth fur. Meanwhile, in the police station, officers have no choice but to stop to give Archie a quick pat as they walk through the halls. 

Smith, who has worked with Portland’s K-9 unit since 1988, has been with Archie 24/7 since the Labrador joined the department.

“What better of a job than to go around with a dog?” he said, flashing his usual grin.

It’s easy to see why the work suits him: Smith has the same people-first energy as Archie, often moving through a room with an easy manner that quickly makes strangers feel like friends.

Smith recalled how during one recent hospital visit, Archie jumped up next to a patient’s bed, which quickly started a conversation.

“Archie jumped up next to the bed and they started patting him, they would tell me all about the history of first pets … and they got a chance to kind of, you know, feel important,” Smith said.

Archie’s approachable nature has helped the department with community relations, said Nadeau, the police spokesperson. In addition to his comfort duties, Archie also makes regular visits to local businesses.

“Maybe one customer has an interaction with (Smith) and the dog that wouldn’t otherwise be interested in talking to the police, and now you’ve opened up a door,” he said.