September 15, 2025 By Chris Foy FRP-25 Finalists Rocket• Serving the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office, has supported hundreds of responders in North Idaho following violent and tragic incidents, including the deadly June 2025 ambush of firefighters near Coeur d’Alene • Operates as part of a regional Peer Support and Chaplain Network to provide holistic care in schools, veterans’ homes, dispatch centers, and hospice facilities • Has inspired a regional movement toward canine wellness programs in first responder agencies • Is recognized by AKC as Therapy Dog Excellent and holds multiple titles for outstanding serviceWillowbrook• Rescued as a one-pound parvo puppy in 2022, now the smallest therapy dog in the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department • Has responded to multiple critical incidents, including 24 days of destructive California wildfires, visiting command posts daily to support thousands of first responders • Documented nearly 20,000 first responder visits across LASD, neighboring agencies, FBI, and CHP, becoming a widely recognized morale booster • Based at Compton Station and nationally honored with the Presidential Points of Light Gold Award for outstanding serviceRawlings• Four-year-old German Wirehair Pointer who accompanies her handler, the Director of Behavioral Science, to work daily • Brings calm, connection, and “pawsitivity” to employees, helping ease stress and create a welcoming environment • Plays a key role during post-incident debriefings, offering steady comfort that helps staff process difficult experiences • Serves as a living example of how comfort canines strengthen resilience, morale, and community trust in law enforcementK9 Shadow• Dual-certified therapy and service dog, West Virginia’s first certified First Responder Therapy Dog, with over 700 documented visits since 2020 • Holds numerous American Kennel Club titles, including Canine Good Citizen, Therapy Dog Supreme, and Therapy Dog Distinguished, reflecting advanced skills in complex environments • Provides comfort and support to hospitals, nursing homes, veterans facilities, first responder agencies, and community events such as Toys for Tots and the WVU Cancer Walk • Recognized by the West Virginia Governor’s Office and honored with the Jefferson Award for public service, known for his unwavering compassion and deep human connectionProbie• Therapy and wellness dog for Sublimity Fire District, inspired by tragedy after a fatal 2019 fire that deeply affected local firefighters and investigators • Nicknamed “Survivor” after being resuscitated at birth, bottle-fed, and later renamed Probie when adopted by handler Amber, a 25-year fire service veteran • Officially joined the fire district in October 2019 and became a comforting presence during the devastating 2020 Oregon wildfires • In 2021, became Oregon’s first certified First Responder Therapy Dog team through the nonprofit First Responder Therapy DogsSaffron• Therapy dog with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, working alongside her handler, a Victim Advocate, to provide comfort to trauma-impacted individuals • Responds to crime scenes, supports victims during interviews and court trials, and lifts morale for fellow agency members after difficult calls • Initially bred as a service dog, equipped with skills to remain calm in loud, high-stress environments, enhancing her effectiveness in the field • Completed Crisis Intervention Training and helps teach the course monthly to first responders, continuing to learn and serve the community with compassionMurphy• Former shelter dog who overcame neglect and heartworm disease, now the full-time therapy dog at the Terrie Hess Child Advocacy Center in Rowan County, NC • Provides comfort and emotional support to child abuse victims, their families, CAC staff, law enforcement, and other professionals handling traumatic cases • Certified Canine Good Citizen and therapy dog with Canine Caregivers Therapy Dogs, NC, also volunteering in community programs and first responder support efforts • Recognized locally as a community hero, honored with a plaque at his former shelter, and celebrated in media for his positive impact and outreachLeroy• Four-year-old Field Lab named in honor of Army Reserve Colonel Leroy Terrell • Originally trained as a service animal with K9s for Warriors, later career-changed to the Station Dog Program after contracting Lyme disease • Joined the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office in 2024, serving as a therapy and support dog • Provides daily comfort and boosts morale for thousands of employees across 21 units of the JSORodney• Seven-year-old Border Collie/Black Lab mix rescue, trained in a prison program that positively impacted both Rodney and his inmate trainer • Named in honor of a late firefighter friend, sharing a warm and friendly personality • Certified as 'Expert' level therapy dog through the American Kennel Club by virtue of having made just under 300 verified visits to his brother and sister first responders. • Supports first responders, hospital staff, and patients across multiple departments and locations, aiding in emotional resilience through therapy dog work and behavioral health educationPolar• Facility dog from United Disabilities Services, assigned to Breaking Free Counseling in York, Pennsylvania • Provides therapy, comfort, and grounding to first responders and trauma survivors • Supports clients in EMDR therapy sessions, aiding in emotional regulation and healing • Participates in community outreach and disaster recovery efforts, bringing calm and hope to those in need
