51 Dogs, 51 Life-Changing Stories

Those 51 dogs and their handlers and owners’ stories—of help and heroism in communities across America—touched and inspired us. We personally read each of your stories, highlights of which include:

• Offering solace in the aftermath of shootings, natural disasters, and other national tragedies
• Comforting the sick, the dying, the lonely, and those who care for them, in hospitals, hospices, and nursing homes
• Being present to victims of violent crimes, including women and children who have been sexually abused or trafficked
• Serving as the only one on duty at the dispatch center when the humans are sleeping or taking a break
• Overcoming traumatic events to deliver hope and care to those living with PTSD and other mental health issues

Goose

• Got his name from the movie “Top Gun” and is meant to be “a copilot in stressful situations”
• Is training with Dog Training Elite to serve the Savannah Police Department and the community
• Responds to behavioral health calls with his handler and participates in critical incident debriefings, school events, classroom meetings, department engagements, SWAT Training, and community events
• Started this work at the age of just 8 weeks

Koda

• serves the Fire Department in Georgetown, TX
• her duties include education, therapy, and community engagement
• made viral news after she was caught on film jumping up to open the door, after the door entry system went down when she was the only one in the building

Luca

• has been a certified therapy dog for over four years
• works with severely disabled children and adults with developmental disabilities for the organizations Buddy Break and United Cerebral Palsy
• has earned multiple American Kennel Club titles for excellence as a therapy and companion dog and canine “good citizen,” among still other titles

Rusty

• Comforts and provides canine-assisted therapy to patients in hospitals and a hospice center every week
• Has been featured by the local news for his work
• Is a member of Dogs with a Purpose, based in Cary, NC

Sgt. Bo.

• Went from being a stray on the streets of Florida to serving the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department as a therapy dog
• Was deployed in the aftermath of the shooting at The Covenant School, where he was a great comfort to students and families and now visits once weekly to provide support
• Received the title of “Therapy Dog Excellent” from the American Kennel Club for over 285 visits and deployments since January 2023 and has been featured on the news

Willow

• as a therapy dog at Ben Franklin Jr. High School, in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, has helped calm and de-escalate many crisis situations with students and supports staff
• is also a hit in the community, paying visits to festivals and the Aging and Disability Resource Center
• was a recipient of the American Kennel Club S.T.A.R.

Gracie

• is a therapy dog specializing in anxiety, as well as a Blue Line Dogs LA team member and Howling Heroes LAFC Top 5 Finalist (in addition to holding other certifications)
• started out as a seeing eye dog but after completing dog training for anxiety, has been providing support to first responder clients at a law firm in southern California—when Gracie is there, they’re better able to open up about their needs

K9 Sandy

• Assists Sheriff’s Office staff, detectives in interviews of child crime victims, and the State Attorney’s office with children who have to testify in court
• Was donated to the St. John’s County by K9s for Warriors
• Is certified as a law enforcement therapy K9
• Makes visits in the community to schools, jails, the courthouse, and special events

Willow Brook

• provides therapy dog services to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and other agencies throughout Los Angeles County, including the L.A. Police Department and L.A. City and County Fire Departments
• at just 5.5 lbs, is Blue Line Dogs/LASD’s smallest therapy dog
• was rescued when she was an eight-week-old puppy infected with the life-threatening disease Canine Parvovirus
• was recognized as a “Canine Good Citizen” by the American Kennel Club

Luna (Kearney)

• is the official therapy dog for the Kearney Police Department and Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office in the state of Nebraska
• holds a “Therapy Dog Advanced” title, has been featured on the news, and was certified through Healing Hearts Therapy Dogs, in Crete, Nebraska
• in the past two years has logged over 100 visits to the Police Department, Sheriff’s Office and 911 dispatch center alone, not to mention other community events