Tewksbury police’s newest recruits are making a ‘paws

Things are getting a little hairy at the Tewksbury Police Department — in the best way possible.

At Tewksbury Memorial High School, Officer James Ryser heads into work each day with a partner who never says a word, but always knows what to do.

That partner is Officer Waffles, a certified comfort and therapy dog.

“It’s pretty much impossible not to smile when you see Waffles,” said Vinny Rodriguez, a senior at the high school.

“You can tell when you look at him he has a job to do,” added Ariana McLean, another senior.

That job is to sense when students are struggling — and when they are, Waffles steps in.

“It’s not always easy to talk sometimes,” McLean said. “Having something else there that’s not trying to communicate with you through talking but through actions is very nice.”

“You