Conway law enforcement just got a whole lot cuter. Meet Finn the Bernedoodle!

Like many students, Finn has summer homework to complete.

But the ear-pulling, paw-grabbing assignment is one the 5-month-old Burnedoodle is more than happy to take part in as part of his training to become Horry County’s first comfort dog.

The Bernese Mountain Dog and poodle mix is in the early stages of an 18-month training regimen preparing him to work with victims of crime at scenes and during interviews as a member of the Conway Police Department. He’s expected to start field work in April.

“There are just so many more things we can do now. We’re thrilled to welcome him into our family,” police chief Dale Long told city leaders June 6, where Finn was formally introduced.

Finn, short for King Griffin, came to the agency by way of an $8,000 state Attorney General’s Office grant, which covers his training, veterinary care, transportation and other expenses.

Nickey Richardson, the department’s victim’s advocate who penned the grant and is raising Finn, said his addition was borne out of requests from her clients.

“I had three specific ladies ask if we had comfort animals for just any kind of trauma cases,” Richardson said. And after reviewing police reports from last year, Richardson discovered at least 30 instances when Finn’s soothing presence could have been used.

For now, Finn spends his days roaming the corridors of City Hall, which helps acclimate him not only to groups of people but allows officers to grow comfortable with him.

“It’s kind of like ‘know us before you need us,’” Richardson said. “He’ll be well known within the community.”

Conway is just the latest South Carolina community to gain a comfort dog. The Mauldin City Council in March approved a community canine program and soon welcomed Margo, a goldendoodle.

Finn came from Grace Filled Goldens, an Inman-based breeder .

This story was originally published June 9, 2022 at 5:00 AM.