2nd Annual First Responder Paws Therapy Dog Award

$2000 Check and Gift Basket!

The nomination process is now open!

Meet our 2024 Contestants!

Dabney• I was raised as a service dog from the age of 8 weeks and learned over 30 commands, but didn’t make it through advance training because I love people too much • Since getting certified with Alliance of Therapy Dogs, have given comfort to children and older adults in schools, nursing homes, hospitals, and in-home visits • Am starting a gig with the Chandler Police Department, where I’ll be working between shifts to comfort officers who have had a troubling shift • Especially love being with kids and teaching them about doggie care with my Power Point presentation “A Day in the Life of Dabney”

Lincoln• I am the Town of Tolland’s official therapy dog and make visits and attend employee events alongside my handler, who works in the Human Services Department • Visit local senior homes and provide emotional comfort to residents in distress or crisis • Am the face of our community’s “Paws Up for Prevention” campaign for mental health and substance use prevention • Am a 2-year-old standard poodle that loves walks, the outdoors, and giving hugs

Sundance Kid• I began working and training as a therapy dog at the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital when I was just 3 months old and have been there ever since (9 whole years!) • Passed my therapy test at the age of 1 • Manage a facility (Conine Clubhouse/JCCH) that accommodates families whose child is receiving hospital care • My paycheck is the smiles and appreciation I receive — that and the gratification of knowing I am part of the medical team

K9 Bailey• I support students, faculty, and staff at the University of South Florida in Tampa and especially love to advocate for victims of crimes • Represent the University of South Florida Police Department and am a graduate of the Paws and Stripes program • They say I’m a trailblazer in the therapy world, since I’m the first therapy K9 in Hillsborough County, Florida • Fun tidbits: My handler created a Bailey Button, so that anyone in the community who needs me can have me, and my birth name is Bubbles

Chase• My partner and I were sworn in in 2019 as the first police K9 team serving the Akron Children’s Police Department, which provides security to hospitals; because of our success as a team, the unit has expanded to include 5 K9 teams • Visit kids and their parents in the hospital, offering comfort and support, and often respond to traumas in the ER • During COVID, my presence brought a sense of normalcy and joy to isolated patients and over-worked staff and revealed just how important this work is • Yep, am named for Paw Patrol, because my donor family were fans of the show

Leeloo• I’ve been working 4.5 years as a Therapy K-9 for the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, where am on call for the Victim/Witness advocates, provide comfort to our staff and deputies in times of stress, and work in the community, teaching crime prevention through 80 different programs • My first case involved the kidnapping of two young kids; after the vehicle they were in was apprehended, I was called in to be a comforting presence until their mother arrived • Was proclaimed “Hometown Hero” by the Minor League Swamp Rabbit Hockey Team • Am a 7-year-old Golden Doodle

Koda• For 7 years, I’ve proudly served as the Community Engagement and Therapy K-9 at Georgetown Fire Department • Provide emotional support to 300 Georgetown police, fire, EMS, and the community of Georgetown, including hospitals, nursing homes, and schools • Teach kids about fire safety and — to inspire kids to believe in themselves and follow their dreams — just wrote my first book about my journey to joining the fire department • Have appeared on news channels nationally and internationally for my new children’s book series

Orio• I’m certified as a therapy dog for military personnel, first responders, students, airport patrons, and other populations • Help my handler, a firefighter/paramedic and veteran of Afghanistan who lives with PTSD, anxiety, and depression, make peer support visits and brighten the day of other first responders • At 6 years of age, have worked in this field for nearly my entire life (5 years) • Am a firehouse mascot Dalmatian and get really excited about visiting fire stations

Scooby• I was rescued by a pilot after a hurricane on the Cayman Islands separated me from my litter • Originally trained to be a human recovery K9, but my greyhound instincts to hunt small animals were a distraction, so I became a therapy dog • Have made over 500 visits to fire and police departments, schools, universities, hospitals, and other community events and have been at critical mass casualty sites and prolonged law enforcement scenes • At 13, I’m no spring chicken but still get excited when the work vest and leash come out

Rudy• I provide comfort to first responders and in hospitals, convalescent homes, educational institutions (UCLA, Pepperdine, and others), and special needs programs • Serve the Los Angeles Police Department, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the Los Angeles Fire Department, and the California Highway Patrol, in conjunction with Blue Line Dogs Inc. • Have received the 2023 US Presidents Gold Volunteer Award, 2023 LAPD Police Chief Michael Moore Commendation, and 2023 LASD LA County Sheriff Robert Luna Commendation • Have over 1600 hours of community service

Rex• I started out as a foster during the pandemic, but when my new family saw how loving and gentle I am, they adopted me and decided to channel my kindness into training and certification for pet therapy • Am a 4-year-old Rottweiler that barks back at the common misconception that we Rottweilers are bullies • Visit hospitals, fire departments, and first responders • Love giving long hugs to those who need comfort and sharing the message that seeking help is a sign of strength

Zayne Grey• I’m a therapy cat, so while I can’t win this contest, I am giving an "a-paws" to all therapy animals! • Was destined to be a therapy cat after a video clip surfaced of my litter— I was the only laidback one in the bunch, just lazily lying on my back and swiping at my sibs • Visit two San Antonio Hospitals, two nursing homes, and a library, and make special visits to schools, wellness events, and other events in the community • I love to lie next to patients—it makes me purr—and I do tricks like ringing a bell

Willowbrook• After being rescued from a backyard breeder and beating parvo, I’ve visited thousands of first responders in L.A. County (6,000 sworn personnel and 8,000 civilian personnel) • At 5.5 pounds, (6 pounds with my vest), I’m the smallest volunteer at the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department and am here to prove anyone can “Do Big Things” • Have been awarded AKC Canine Good Citizen, AKC Urban Dog, and AKC Community Canine Titles, AKC Therapy Dog Distinguished, and the Presidential Points of Light Gold Award for Volunteerism • Appeared in a Sheriff’s recruitment video to encourage the public to “Do Big Things” — and became a star when the video reached the #1 law enforcement spot in the nation

Murphy• I started out at the Rowan County Animal Shelter and overcame heartworm disease and neglect to become a full-time, certified therapy dog supporting victims of child abuse and the first responders who investigate and prosecute their cases • Am the full-time therapy dog at the Terrie Hess Child Advocacy Center, where the office walls are hung with countless pieces of art by children who now call me a friend • As a volunteer with Canine Caregivers Therapy Dogs, support first responders and youth • Was named “Community Hero of the Month” in 2022 and was featured in Salisbury the Magazine — and Big Dog Kennel #26 at the Rowan County Animal Shelter is now sponsored in my name

Polar• I’m an emotional support therapy dog serving the West Richland Police Department and the greater community of West Richland • Was trained by Service Peace Warriors, an organization that trains service dogs for veterans with PTSD and related disabilities • Can ease tensions at department trainings and meetings and at one training played the role of the hostage victim • Have become an “irreplaceable” positive presence in the workplace

Tilley• I was a member of The Caring Paws Therapy Organization & Alliance of Therapy Dogs and worked with the Peachtree City Police Department Auxiliary Force for 3 years • Served the citizens of Peachtree City by providing comfort and joy to several thousand people and through participation in city events • Spent my last day of life (September 28, 2024) doing what I loved most — working at an event for kids with special needs • Loved to put on my vest and meet people at events

Lucy• I am a pocket bully rescue and certified therapy dog with a smile that lights up a room • Support our fire department (Panama City) and first responders • As a crisis response K9, have been deployed to two disaster areas and can provide comfort in mass casualty incidents • Began my work with visits to the state veterans’ home (which I still visit), and have represented the 2nd Alarm Project, as they implement their canine therapy program

Submit Your Pup Below

The Cause – Why Participate

Update: By popular request, we have extended the deadline for applications to Nov. 20. The full revised timeline is below.

It’s not every day that we get to honor a therapy dog for its excellence in service or support our first responders and their mental health. Now we’re doing both, by offering the “First Responder Paws Therapy Dog Award.” This nationwide contest will showcase therapy dogs everywhere in the many roles they fill, while also shining the spotlight on therapy dogs that assist first responders—and the critical need for more such dogs, both in South Florida and in communities across the U.S.

The Need for More Therapy Dogs for First Responders

America’s first responders are on the frontlines of danger every day, saving lives and keeping our communities and nation safe. That can take a toll on their mental health.

Therapy dogs help these heroic men and women rebound from emergencies and reset between calls. The calming, healing presence of these dogs enables first responders to process the on-the-job traumas they’ve experienced and cope better with stress, grief, and anxiety.

As indispensable as they are in this capacity, therapy dogs can also be expensive to acquire and take time to train. This contest shines a light on the critical role they play in supporting America’s public safety professionals. By recognizing one therapy dog for its excellence in service and by sharing their story with a national audience, we hope to advocate for more such therapy dogs in more communities across America.

The Award

The winner of the first-ever, annual First Responder Paws Therapy Dog Award will receive the following prize:

Gift Basket From Chewy.com
$2,000 check in support of their work
Free national publicity, including a feature blog that reaches more than 100,000 people on social media and a press release announcing the news
A “Top Paws Therapy Dog Award” badge for placement on their website or blog in recognition of their status as one of 10 finalists
A $2,500 donation made in their honor by FHE Health to our partner organization First Responders Pack Foundation, which exists to train more therapy dogs for first responders

Who Can Apply?

Any owner/handler/trainer and their therapy dog in any context can apply for this award. Any person who wants to apply on behalf of a therapy dog that has made a difference in their life and/or community can also apply.

Be mindful that the selection committee would like to see some evidence of your impact on the first responder population. You and your therapy dog do not need to work exclusively with first responder populations in order to apply.

“One Dog Per Organization”

In the spirit of a fair playing field, we are requesting a limit of one application (one dog) per organization. Your accommodation of this request can help to ensure that together, we are able to represent as many dogs and organizations as possible. We appreciate that in some contexts, such as with a large, sprawling organization that has many dogs in various agencies or branches, it may be hard or impossible to enforce this rule. However, blatant violations of this request will also be taken into account during the selection process, in accordance with our request for one dog per organization.

Deadline for Applications and Timeline for 2024 Award

We will begin accepting applications for the 2024 award on Wed., Sept. 4.
The deadline for applications is Wed., Nov. 20.
A public vote to determine 10 finalists will occur Nov. 25–Dec. 4
10 finalists will be announced on Mon., Dec. 9
The final winner will be announced on Fri., Dec. 13.

Application Requirements

All applicants are required to complete a form on this website page. All applicants will be required to submit the following materials:

A short typed essay (at least one paragraph in length) about the dog you are nominating and the dog’s story, as well as why you believe it should be awarded the First Responder Paws Therapy Dog Award
Any proof of training such as therapy dog certification, enrollment in a certification course, or course(s) that qualifies the dog to serve in whatever context(s) it serves (hospital, nursing home, fire departments, etc.)
A photo of the dog
Any links to news or media reports about the dog
A completed application form

Contest Details

The Selection Process

The finalists and first-place winner will be chosen by a small committee with representatives from FHE Health and FHE Health’s partner organization First Responders Pack Foundation. The Broward County-based non-profit is officially recognized by the American Kennel Club as a Certified Therapy Dog Organization and exists to train more therapy dogs to support the mental and emotional health of first responders in the aftermath of trauma.

Firefighter Dean Moreno, the founder of First Responders Pack Foundation, will help lead the selection committee. Moreno is a certified AKC evaluator for Star Puppy, Canine Good Citizen, Community Canine, and Urban Canine Good Citizen and can issue the Therapy Dog Certificate to eligible dogs. He is currently in the process to become a professional dog trainer.

The 10 finalists will be chosen by public vote on our official voting page, which will provide a photo and profile for each competing dog. The voting page will go live at the close of the application period, at which point contestants will be alerted by email that their dog can now start taking votes.

The Voting Process

Anyone who wishes to vote can vote and will be allowed one vote. Your email address will be required in order to vote but will not be retained or used to contact you for any other purpose.

Last year, we ensured a fair voting process by implementing measures to prevent vote tampering and manipulation (such as multiple or spammy emails). This year, we are doing the same but are implementing an even more stringent voting system to ensure the integrity of the voting process.

Non-Discrimination Policy Disclaimer

FHE Health does not discriminate on any basis, whether by age, race, sex, religion, disability status or sexual orientation. All qualified applicants are given equal consideration and are assessed strictly based on the strength of their application and essay. It is at the sole discretion of our team to select the dog we feel is most deserving of this award. By applying for the First Responder Paws Therapy Dog Award, you agree to FHE Health’s privacy policy and disclaimer.

About FHE Health

FHE Health, a national behavioral health provider, has been serving adults (ages 18 and up) with mental health and substance use needs for more than 20 years. From its headquarters in Deerfield Beach, Florida, our state-of-the-art facility serves men and women from around the country with integrated care, specialized treatment programs, and evidence-based therapies and innovations.

FHE’s specialized treatment program “Shatterproof at FHE Health” is nationally recognized for its work with first responders, many of whom have achieved quicker, more comprehensive recovery through cutting-edge neuroscience-based treatments, trauma therapies like EMDR, peer support groups, and … the occasional visit from a therapy dog.

How to Reach Our Team

We are not able to take or return phone calls. However, this page contains all of the information necessary to apply. If you have a question, you may email us at marketing@fhehealth.com, and one of our team will respond when able.

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Meet our 2023 Nominees

Meet our 2023 Winner Sgt. Bo

First Responder Paws Award 2024

Handler/Applicant Name(Required)

First Last

Email(Required)

Phone(Required)

Address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

Dog's Name(Required)

Notable Services Provided(Required)

Links and Associations

Do you have any relevant social media accounts for your pup or associations you work with? Links to articles or features of your dog that you would like to share?

Associated Organization Website/Social

If there's a place you can share your participation please list it so we can look for a shoutout!

Bio Blurb (250 characters)(Required)

Tell us about your pup and the impact they have made! We'll use this along with your photo for their listing on the voting page. (This may be edited for presentation purposes)

Short Essay

If you have any more information about your application, please include it here. This information may be used to edit your bio blurb or to inform our team when selecting a finalist.

Share a Photo of your Dog!(Required)

Accepted file types: jpg, png, gif, Max. file size: 50 MB.

By submitting an application you are granting permission for us to share your story and any images shared on our social media for the purpose of promoting First Responder Paws. We may also tag the provided social media accounts when sharing information about the contest. If you'd like us to tag any social media account please make sure to share the relevant links!