By Brian Grant
Firefighters often face significant physical and emotional stress when responding to traumatic incidents, which can have lasting effects on their mental health. The urgency of this issue is underscored by the suicide rate among firefighters, which, at 18 per 100,000 firefighters, is higher than the general population’s rate of 13 suicides per 100,000 people. In response to these challenges, some fire departments proactively promote firefighter wellness through both traditional approaches and more holistic ones, such as the implementation of therapy dog programs.
Research has unequivocally demonstrated the profound benefits of therapy dogs in bolstering firefighter mental health. For example, spending time with a therapy dog has been shown to reduce blood pressure by up to 10 points. The interaction triggers the release of oxytocin, a hormone that promotes relaxation and stress reduction, while also lowering cortisol levels. This powerful combination not only enhances heart health but also significantly improves stress management.
For departments considering a therapy dog program, it’s crucial to be prepared for the associated logistics. This includes clearly defining roles, ensuring comprehensive training, enacting well-defined policies and addressing any potential concerns prior to implementation.
What is a therapy dog?
Therapy dogs are known for providing comfort and emotional support to individuals who have experienced stressful events. Therapy dogs can be utilized in a variety of settings, including for use in peer counseling sessions, hospitals, schools, recovery centers and in public safety organizations.
In a fire station, a therapy dog’s unique ability to comfort firefighters after a call is unparalleled. Therapy dogs are paired with handlers who undergo extensive training, progressing from foundational to advanced techniques. Continuous exposure and training in various environments is key for their effective performance.
Note: Therapy dogs are not the same as service dogs. Service dogs are specially trained to perform specific tasks to help a person with a disability.
Defining objectives for an in-house therapy dog program
Many fire departments collaborate with outside agencies to schedule specific times with therapy dogs. However, this model can fall short during critical moments, like a mass-casualty incident that affects many personnel. In these scenarios, waiting for outside support may not be practical. With an in-house therapy dog program, departments have a trained dog on standby, ready to offer support precisely when needed.
Defining the program objectives is the essential first step before implementation. Key objectives of your therapy dog program may include:
- Providing emotional support to firefighters and staff
- Reducing stress and anxiety within the station
- Serving as a community outreach tool to enhance public relations
- Encouraging wellness and peer support
Once the primary objectives are defined, determine who will oversee the program’s operation whether by individual members, a department association or the department itself. These choices will influence ownership and liability – vital considerations for all departments and insurance carriers.
A well-structured program will clearly outline utilization, responsibilities for the animal’s care and handling, liability arrangements, the number of therapy dogs allowed, and how it will fit within the department’s existing framework.
Factors to consider: Logistics and implementation
Implementing a therapy dog program is a significant endeavor that demands strategic planning, coordination and, most importantly, effective communication. The department can confidently implement a successful program by ensuring that all stakeholders are well-informed and involved and focusing on essential factors such as selecting the right dog, choosing capable handlers and managing costs.
Selecting a dog
An ideal therapy dog is calm, friendly, highly social and capable of maintaining composure in stressful environments while being responsive to commands. Common dog breeds for the role are Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Goldendoodles and Labradoodles. However, there is no specific therapy dog breed; any dog that displays good temperament and high social abilities can handle the role.
Departments can adopt an already trained therapy dog or raise a puppy with professional guidance. Still, success depends on selecting or training a dog that meets established aptitude standards, such as those in Volhard’s Puppy Aptitude Test. This comprehensive assessment covers 10 essential areas: social attraction, following, restraint, social dominance, elevation, retrieval, stability, touch, plus sound and sight sensitivity. Additionally, dogs that are selected for use in therapy programs should successfully pass the puppy temperament test and the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizens (CGC) test, ensuring they are well-suited for their supportive roles. Local pet trainers can typically administer these assessments.
Selecting handlers
The effectiveness of a therapy dog program hinges on the dog’s handlers. Therefore, selecting handlers (employees) who are committed, responsible and skilled in working effectively with the dog is essential. Implementing a robust selection system that aligns with departmental objectives and prioritizes the dog’s wellbeing will set the program up for success.
Program costs
Creating and sustaining a fire department therapy dog program incurs various costs. These costs include initial expenses such as spaying and neutering fees and purchasing a dog from a breeder or a local humane shelter. Ongoing costs such as food, grooming, veterinary care, and training should also be anticipated. This comprehensive understanding of the financial commitment is crucial for effective program management.
Members looking to establish the program can seek community support to offset expenses by partnering with pet stores, veterinary offices and hospitals. Emphasizing mutual benefits – such as social media exposure, logo placements at events, and promotional opportunities – can encourage sponsorship and strengthen community engagement.
Training and certification
If a department opts to train its dog rather than acquire one that has already completed training, it is highly recommended to begin with an introductory obedience course or a comprehensive program that covers essential to advanced skills alongside an approved handler. The handler’s role is vital in this training process; departments should consider appointing a secondary handler to assist with the dog when the primary handler is unavailable.
During obedience training, the handler and the dog should train in various locations around the firehouse. They should be exposed to the sights and sounds of daily operations within the station, as well as to children and the public during open houses and station tours.
Ongoing training and continuing education are essential to ensuring that the dog is well-behaved and effective – and remains as such.
After completing advanced-level training, conduct a final test based on the AKC’s CGC standards. A CGC certification can be used as proof of responsible ownership to help ease the concerns of department insurers and other administrative staff who may oppose this program. The CGC certification promotes positive training methods and encourages responsible dog ownership. It is a valuable step for any department looking to implement a dog-handler team in therapy work.
The final step, which is not legally required, is certification as a therapy dog. This certification program generally reinforces basic obedience skills. It introduces new skills such as tolerating handling by strangers, petting, hugging, and touching their ears or paw pads. The certification agency, an independent body, oversees this process to ensure fairness and transparency. Additionally, certification helps ensure that therapy dogs can safely and effectively provide comfort to those in need while maintaining high standards of behavior and professionalism.
Housing
The fire department must establish definitive guidelines for each firehouse regarding the dog’s accommodation during shifts, ensuring that the animal receives the best care and attention. The therapy dog’s primary handler will oversee all aspects of care. For on-duty arrangements, the dog’s sleeping area should be in the same room as the handler and should include a kennel equipped with an exterior locking door.
There are several additional logistical questions that should be addressed:
- Where will the dog eat?
- Where will the dog relieve him/herself and who will ensure that happens?
- During long-duration calls, who will let the dog out of the kennel?
- Are there any areas that will be deemed off-limits to the dog?
- What is the maximum number of therapy dogs allowed per shift? Note: Only one therapy dog per station, per shift, is a standard rule, while the fire administration could allow up to two, depending on the size of the administrative workforce.
Overcoming implementation challenges
While the benefits of a therapy dog program are substantial, several challenges may still arise:
- Legal and liability concerns: To address these challenges, a comprehensive program manual outlining objectives, procedures, insurance and behavioral expectations is essential. Approved standard operating procedures (SOPs) play a crucial role in reducing legal liabilities by providing clear guidelines for conduct. This approach clarifies roles and supports adherence to laws and best practices, strengthening the program’s integrity.
- Allergies or fear of dogs: While only about 10% of the U.S. population is allergic to dogs, some firefighters may still have allergies or be uncomfortable around them. To mitigate these concerns, it is essential to establish designated dog-free zones, enforce strict rules or introduce hypoallergenic dogs.
- Handler responsibilities: On-duty handlers must have a contingency plan for situations when they are away for extended periods due to emergency calls. This may include notifying secondary handlers or approved off-duty members to assist in taking the dogs out of their kennels.
- Department buy-in: Support from fire service leadership, rank-and-file members and the community is crucial. Educating all stakeholders about the benefits of therapy dogs and addressing any concerns early in the process can foster that support.
- Dog ownership: Clear responsibilities and ownership must be well-defined to avoid complications, such as “Who cares for the dog after retirement or when a handler leaves the job?”
How to measure the success of your therapy dog program
Assessing the program’s effectiveness is vital for ensuring its long-term success. Departments should prioritize monitoring and valuing qualitative data, as these insights are invaluable. There are several ways to evaluate success:
- Monitoring department personnel’s wellness. To gauge the success of the program, administer an anonymous survey to measure stress levels and morale before and after the program’s implementation.
- Integration into department activities. Tracking the dog’s participation in station activities and community events significantly contributes to the program’s effectiveness.
- Solicit feedback. Collect testimonials from firefighters and community members regarding the positive influence of the dog’s presence.
- Measure engagement of program promotions. Enhance social media engagement and evaluate submission levels for further analysis.
Conclusion
Implementing a therapy dog program provides considerable mental health benefits for firefighters and bolsters community relations. Through thoughtful planning regarding the program’s selection, training, logistics and practical applications, departments can establish a sustainable and effective initiative. This initiative delivers a comprehensive and holistic approach to mental health, addressing all facets of well-being and ensuring the well-being of the entire department.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Brian Grant serves as the assistant fire chief of operations and training at Hualapai Fire and EMS in Peach Springs, Arizona. He is a student in the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer (EFO) program, credentialed as a training officer through ISFSI and a Chief Fire Officer (CFO) through CPSE. Grant holds a master’s degree in emergency and disaster management as well as IFSAC certification in Fire Officer IV and Fire Instructor III.
