Firefighters, paramedics and visitors of the Swampscott Fire Station are routinely greeted at the front door by a familiar four-legged, friendly face.

Many spend long shifts inside of the fire station, but nobody spends more time there than a chocolate Labrador named Ryan, who lives there.

In 2023, Fire Chief Graham Archer thought of making an addition to the station, in the form of a firehouse dog. Ryan is named after late Swampscott Fire Captain Mark Ryan, who was highly respected in the station and died in 2022.

“He thought that getting a dog could be a relief,” said Deputy Robert Faulkner. “A distraction at times from the everyday dealings of fire service.”

It didn’t take long for Ryan to get accustomed to loud alarms and the comings and goings of large vehicles. By nine months old, Ryan would immediately get up and head into his cage when alarms called firefighters to duty.

A normal day in the office for Ryan includes chasing after tennis balls in the long second floor hallway of the fire station, as well as going on walks with one of his many firefighter friends. Faulkner said he is very well behaved and keeps out of mischief, besides stealing plastic water bottles out of the recycling bin.

“He entertains us quite a bit,” Faulkner said. “He’s pretty smart. He tells you what he wants and when he wants it.”

Faulkner said for many employees at the station, Ryan provides much needed stress relief.

“If you’re having a difficult day, he’s just so friendly,” said Firefighter Brian Crescenzo. “He’s a great addition to the station.”

Crescenzo said Ryan has befriended everybody in the station, and he allows each of them to take him on a walk without fuss. On those walks, Ryan enjoys people watching and will roll over on his back to accept attention from people walking by.

“He’s a big softie,” Crescenzo said. “Sometimes we’ll pamper him a little bit. We’ll give him a bath, and he really appreciates it.”