MENDON, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — The fire department in one central Massachusetts town has a real-life fire dog—a seven-year-old dalmatian named Oliver.
Oliver lives with Mendon Fire Chief Bill Kessler, and spends his days accompanying the chief to schools to teach fire prevention.
He even knows how to stop, drop, and roll—for a treat, of course.
"His sit command is actually 'Stop,' his down command is 'Drop,' and he'll roll for a treat," Kessler tells WBZ NewsRadio's Kim Tunnicliffe.
He can usually be found snuggled up in his papasan chair in the chief's office.
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Kessler said Oliver has been well-received by the town.
"The kids love him, and I think it helps to make that interaction between young children and fire education," he said. "They have an animal, a dog, that they can connect with and think about fire safety."
Kessler got Oliver from a Virginia dalmatian rescue when Oliver was three. He brings Oliver to the station nearly every day, where the dog greets everyone who stops by.
"Sometimes he lets out a bark, which intimidates him a little bit, but they realize he's wagging his tail and all he wants to do is be pet," the chief said.
WBZ NewsRadio's Kim Tunnicliffe (@KimWBZ) reports
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