FALL RIVER — It’s been a long journey in the short life of six-month old Sophie Marie going from a Mississippi dog shelter to a comfort pup in training with the Fall River Fire Department. 

Now Sophie Marie and her handler, firefighter Patrick Duddy, are hitting the ground running in the city fire department’s pilot program to bring comfort and companionship to first responders, children and people in crisis who just need a little puppy love. 

Sophie Marie has been on duty at Globe/Kosior Fire Station on Globe Street for just a few weeks, but she’s already been making the rounds. Recently, after students finished their MCAS testing at the William S. Green Elementary School, Sophie Marie spent four hours visiting with students.

Read more from Jo C. Goode at heraldnews.com.