Getting Started with First Responder Therapy Dogs

Recorded May 11, 2022

Related Resources:

• Fire Department Crisis and Comfort Canine Program Directive (provided by Riverside County Fire Department)
• Sample General Therapy Dog Program Outline (provided by Blue Line Dogs) 
• Therapy Dog Administrative Procedure (provided by West Metro Fire Department)
• Therapy Dog Letter of Interest (provided by West Metro Fire Department) 
• An Argument for the Widespread Use of Therapy Dogs in Policing by Chief Neil Gang
• Therapy Dogs: The Next Step in Enhancing Firefighter Wellness Programs by Capt. Reed Norwood
• Therapy Dogs Help West Metro Fire Get Through Tough Calls 
• Marie Ridgeway & Associates 
• The Art of Raising a Puppy by The Monks of New Skete

Numerous local and state nonprofit organizations support therapy dog deployment to first responders. Following are a few organizations that reached out to us:

• HOPE Animal-Assisted Crisis Response
• Pet Partners 
• Blue Line Dogs
• K9s for Freedom
• First Responder Therapy Dogs
• Therapy Dogs International
• International Police Facility Dog Association
• Alliance of Therapy Dogs
• Puppies Behind Bars
• K9s for Warriors
• Paws For Life K9 Rescue

Looking for more training? Lexipol offers online training for fire & EMS through our FireRescue1 Academy and EMS1 Academy, and for law enforcement through our PoliceOne Academy. Individual and department subscriptions available.