Fifteen teams each comprised of a dog and their handler are ready to respond to emergencies across the state.
It could be a fire where a family is displaced or a natural disaster, such as the threat of a hurricane that has prompted the evacuation of a neighborhood. Teams would be ready to visit shelters. These are situations where people are under stress and first responders could use the calming of therapy dogs.
Sue Parker of Paws from the Heart knows the effect dogs can have. Paws, which just celebrated its first anniversary, sends teams into nursing homes, hospitals, senior centers and even the ACI. Many of the teams are also members of PVD Pups that visit Green Airport, providing a break in the boredom of waiting for a flight or in the case of those fearing to fly, a friendly diversion from their anxiety.