PROGRAMS PTSD DOGS: TASKS PTSD DOGS: BENEFITS SEIZURES BLINDNESS DEAFNESS FIRST RESPONDERS
Empowering First Responders Through the Healing Power of Dogs
At Pawsitivity, we train four kinds of helper dogs for first responders (such as police, firefighters, and EMTs).
1. Therapy Dogs: Provide Comfort After Emergencies
Therapy dogs play a vital role in supporting first responders by helping them manage the emotional and psychological challenges they encounter daily. Unlike service dogs, which assist a single individual, therapy dogs are trained to comfort and support many people. When paired with first responders, therapy dogs provide care to victims, families, and communities coping with trauma after emergencies.
Studies show that therapy dogs can:
- Establish emotional connections in moments of distress.
- Support adaptive coping mechanisms.
- Enhance emotional and physical comfort.
- Provide practical assistance by easing tense or high-stress situations.
First responders have found that therapy dogs create a calming presence that changes the mood in a room, fostering a sense of safety and support. For victims and their families, the dogs offer a bridge to healing, making it easier to process trauma and begin recovery.
Therapy dogs provide more than comfort—they offer a pathway to hope and resilience for everyone they encounter.
2. Facility Dogs: Supporting First Responders On and Off the Job
Facility dogs are specially trained to bring comfort, resilience, and relief to first responders in high-stress workplaces like police stations, firehouses, and EMT hubs. Unlike therapy dogs that may travel between locations, facility dogs are based at a specific site and live with a designated handler. They are a constant presence, ready to provide emotional support and stress relief when it’s needed most.
How Facility Dogs Help First Responders:
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Reducing Stress and Anxiety:
Facility dogs are a source of immediate comfort during demanding shifts. Studies show they help lower anxiety, improve well-being, and reduce burnout among first responders. -
Improving Mental Health Without Stigma:
Traditional mental health programs can feel inaccessible due to stigma, but facility dogs offer a stigma-free way for first responders to address stress. Many describe these dogs as a trusted ally in maintaining their emotional health. -
Fostering Team Morale:
Facility dogs bring a sense of camaraderie and good will to the workplace. They create a positive atmosphere, helping teams stay focused, healthy, and connected to one another.
The Research Behind Facility Dogs:
- Facility dogs improve job performance and reduce burnout, especially in high-stakes roles.*
- First responders report feeling empowered by the presence of facility dogs, describing them as a key resource for managing workplace challenges.**
- Studies have found that a facility dog can be empowering to first responders because they can immediately reduce their tension without stigma.***
- Teams view facility dogs as an extension of their organization’s care and commitment to their well-being.***
Facility dogs aren’t just for the first responders—they also benefit the community. From comforting victims to easing tensions during stressful events, these dogs provide invaluable support wherever they go.
3. Emotional Support Dogs: A Source of Relief at Home
First responders face unimaginable stress and trauma daily. While they dedicate themselves to helping others, the emotional toll can build over time, affecting their well-being and relationships. Emotional support dogs offer a unique solution—providing a source of comfort, stability, and relief at home for first responders who need a way to decompress and heal.
How Emotional Support Dogs Help First Responders:
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Easing Stress After High-Trauma Days:
Coming home to a specially trained emotional support dog allows first responders to transition from the intensity of their workday to a calmer state of mind. The dog’s presence provides immediate comfort without placing additional emotional burdens on family members. -
Aiding in Trauma Recovery:
Repeated exposure to traumatic events doesn’t always meet the threshold of PTSD, but it can still impact mental health. Emotional support dogs offer a healthy outlet to process these emotions and prevent trauma from escalating into long-term issues. -
Promoting Mental Health and Well-Being:
Emotional support dogs help first responders cope through companionship, non-judgmental support, and grounding in moments of anxiety or overwhelm. The simple act of interacting with their dog can reduce stress hormones and promote relaxation. -
A Trusted Companion at Home:
Emotional support dogs provide a safe, reliable source of comfort that first responders can rely on at the end of every day. They not only help their owners feel calmer but also encourage routines, like walking or playing, that foster a healthier lifestyle.
Emotional support dogs ensure that the brave men and women who protect us have the care and stability they need to keep going.
4. Service Dogs: For Complex PTSD
Note: When a former first responder has a service dog to help with their PTSD, it is usually for a type of PTSD called “complex” PTSD. This kind of PTSD comes from experiencing multiple traumatic events, rather than just one.
Real Stories of Impact
"Before my service dog, I couldn’t step outside without panic. Now, I can confidently shop, travel, and connect with my family again." – Pawsitivity Testimonial
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* Moncur, Janus M. First Responders, Therapy K9s, and Social Work" What Are the Lived Experiences of First Responders Working with Therapy K9s and Their View of Social Work and Therapy?. Barry University, 2023.
** Jensen, Clare L., et al. "The effects of facility dogs on burnout, job‐related well‐being, and mental health in paediatric hospital professionals." Journal of clinical nursing 30.9-10 (2021): 1429-1441.
*** Quick, Kenneth M. "Chipping the Blue Wall: The Effect of Dogs on Police Officer Receptivity to an Employee Assistance Program." (2024).