Watertown ACO writes a book

#MiddleburyCT #WatertownCT #ACO #Lola

Watertown Animal Control Officer Judy Umstead and comfort dog and K9 officer Lola visit the Watertown library. Lola was relaxing at the end of a long work day and a trip to the groomer. (Marjorie Needham photo)

By MARJORIE NEEDHAM

December 14, 2023, was a big day for Watertown Animal Control Officer Judy Umstead and her trained comfort dog, Lola. It was the day Umstead’s children’s book, “Everybody Loves Lola” went on sale on Amazon. The book follows Lola’s journey from a very naughty puppy through her evolution into a comfort dog. Umstead said the book is told from Lola’s perspective.

Watertown ACO Judy Umstead wrote this book. It tells the story of her comfort dog, Lola. (Submitted photo)

Umstead said she had wanted to write a book for a long time, but hadn’t acted. If it hadn’t been for a cancer diagnosis that resulted in her being off work from July 22, 2022, to January 30, 2023, the book still might not have been written. She said the diagnosis and months of treatment caused her to say to herself, “What am I waiting for?” She said, “We don’t know how much time we have.”

She signed up with Miriam Laundry Publishing, a firm that works with folks who want to write children’s books, teaching them how to write, edit and market their books. The result is “Everybody Loves Lola,” a book for children ages 4 to 8. The book is available on Amazon in hardcover, paperback and Kindle.

Umstead credits the staff at Yale with her successful treatment. While she was there, a friend brought Lola to visit, and now Umstead takes Lola with her on visits to Yale. She and Lola spend time there encouraging patients who are where Umstead was a year ago.

Lola’s naughtiness as a puppy resulted in her coming to live with Umstead. But as naughty as Lola was then, Umstead said Lola is now the calmest yellow Labrador she has ever met. She said she could tell Lola was special. “That’s why I took her to training,” she said.

Umstead and Lola trained with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, where Umstead said Lola passed with flying colors. Since then, they have visited schools, bookstores, libraries, assisted living facilities, and various town events. Lola serves wherever she is needed, even at funerals when requested. Umstead said Lola was really popular at a Watertown coffee with the cops event.

One of the places she visits regularly is The Ivy at Watertown. Its social engagement director, Michelle McNamara, shared her thoughts about Lola with us through an email. In it she said it all started when Ivy residents wanted to bake dog treats and donate them to the animal shelter. When Umstead and Lola went there to collect the treats, Ivy residents and staff fell in love with Lola.

McNamara wrote, “She brought so much joy and comfort to our community, and we requested her to come regularly. Lola goes to each resident and lets them pet her. Her visits brighten our day here at The Ivy at Watertown. Residents look forward to her visits and we even have fun events like celebrating Lola’s birthday here where we fed Lola her favorite foods, bananas, we played songs for Lola “Whatever Lola Wants Lola Gets,” she dresses up for holidays for us, and of course we support her new book. She has become a part of our Ivy family, and we are grateful to her and Judy.”

Umstead said of Lola, “I’m thrilled with her. I’m energized by her.” She said Lola will enter a room and seems to intuitively know which person in that room needs her to visit them. She’s also available at the police station for any officer who needs her presence. Umstead said Lola has dog beds in multiple locations at the police station.

Umstead said she has been overwhelmed by the kindness of others. “I appreciate all the support from when I was sick and that I’m getting now this book,” she said. Learn more about Umstead and Lola at judyumsteadauthor.com.