Official page for State Senator of the 3rd Bristol and Plymouth District in Massachusetts.
05/30/2026
What a busy Friday for the office, but an especially meaningful one as we celebrated Steve Turner’s retirement. Our city is undeniably safer, stronger, and better because of your leadership, dedication, and guidance. Your impact will be felt for so many years to come, grateful to know one of the best patrolman. 307!!
05/28/2026
Last night our office attended Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery Southeast MA Public Policy Forum at the Taunton Public Library
05/26/2026
Final FY27 Senate Budget Update!
Senator Dooner secured $500,000 worth of direct investments to the communities in our district, starting with Rehoboth!
$40,000 for Rehoboth
05/25/2026
Today, we honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.
Memorial Day is a time to reflect on the cost of our freedoms and to keep the families of our fallen heroes in our thoughts and prayers.
May we never forget their courage, sacrifice, and service to our nation.
05/23/2026
Memorial Day parade and ceremony in Raynham, may we never forget. 🇺🇸
05/22/2026
Senator Dooner’s Dakota’s Law Amendment Passes Unanimously in the Senate
Boston, MA — May 22, 2026 — Senator Kelly A. Dooner (R-Taunton) announced today that the Massachusetts Senate unanimously adopted her amendment establishing the Retired Police and Military K9 Care Fund, also known as Dakota’s Law. The amendment seeks to provide funding for medical treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term care for retired police and military working dogs across Massachusetts.
Senator Dooner introduced the amendment during Senate budget deliberations, highlighting the sacrifices and service of working K9s that spend their lives protecting communities, assisting law enforcement, and serving alongside military personnel.
“These K9s spend their lives running toward danger to protect others,” said Senator Dooner. “They serve with incredible loyalty, courage, and dedication in some of the most dangerous situations imaginable. After years of protecting our communities, they deserve dignity, compassion, and proper care in retirement.”
The amendment is named in honor of Dakota, a Newton Police K9 who assisted law enforcement in the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombings and later developed canine PTSD as a result of his service. Dakota’s story helped bring attention to the lack of resources available for retired working dogs suffering from trauma-related conditions.
During her remarks on the Senate floor, Senator Dooner recognized several retired K9s currently receiving care through the K9 PTSD Research Center in Seekonk, including former police and military working dogs that participated in tactical operations, narcotics investigations, explosive detection, missing person rescues, and military deployments.
Senator Dooner also thanked State Representative Steven Xiarhos for his advocacy and leadership on the issue, as well as the bipartisan support from her Senate colleagues.
“I want to thank Representative Xiarhos for his unwavering advocacy and continued leadership in bringing attention to this important issue,” Dooner said. “I am also grateful to my colleagues in the Senate for their bipartisan support in unanimously adopting this amendment.”
The amendment highlights the work of James LaMonte and the K9 PTSD Research Center in Seekonk, which was founded through the rehabilitation efforts that helped Dakota recover and live out the remainder of his life with dignity and care. The center now supports retired and traumatized police and military working K9s from across the Commonwealth. # # #
05/22/2026
It’s been a busy budget week! While more to come on that…today I want to take a moment to recognize the wonderful day we had yesterday honoring our veterans at the 2nd annual military appreciation day. I was so proud to nominate Ally Tammaro, who fights so hard for veterans and is truly one of the strongest advocates out there…she deserves so much more for the great work she has been doing! Shout out to my awesome team for bringing all the honorees in the district to the senate chamber as we were in the height of the budget.
WE DID IT! Proud to share that the Senate unanimously passed my amendment, Dakota’s Law today!
This amendment helps ensure retired police and military K9s receive the care and support they deserve after years of dedicated service protecting our communities and our country. These K9s serve alongside law enforcement officers and members of our military in some of the most dangerous and demanding situations imaginable. After a lifetime of service, we have a responsibility to make sure they are properly cared for in retirement.
I want to thank my colleagues in the Senate for their bipartisan support of this amendment, as well as Representative Xiarhos for his unwavering advocacy and continued leadership on this issue. I also want to recognize the K9 PTSD Research Center for their important work raising awareness and supporting efforts to improve care for retired working dogs.
Dakota’s Law is about honoring service, supporting handlers and families, and doing right by these incredible animals who give so much in service to others. This is a long video, please watch it through to learn more about these heroes. We also secured 20k in senate directed spending for the center to help with care.
MBTA Communities Act amendment debate. The battle continues.
05/20/2026
Really great to welcome kids from the district to the chamber. This was a unique learning opportunity for them to witness some of the debate over chapter 70, UGGA, rural, and regional school aid. One of the most important jobs we can do is to show the future generation how government works, not just through debate…but healthy debate and thoughtful discussions over the issues. More to come on this.
And yes - they all play basketball…and all are heading to college to continue their athletic careers!