Meet Sierra: The Emotional Support Dog Walking Downtown Springfield Every Day

Apr 12, 2026

What does emotional support look like in a sheriff’s office? For Chief Deputy Sheriff Robert Hoffman and the Springfield community, it looks like a black Labrador named Sierra — and a daily walk through the heart of downtown.

To build their bond, Robert committed to a daily walk from Liberty Street to Tower Square, no matter what. What started as a personal routine became something bigger. Today, Sierra is a familiar face downtown, welcomed by name at Dunkin’, Community Bank, and countless other businesses in Tower Square. And for anyone going through a hard time, a moment with Sierra can make a real difference.

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