“Happiness is a warm puppy.”
That sentiment expressed by cartoonist Charles M. Schulz is just as true today as it was on April 25, 1960, when it first appeared in the comic strip “Peanuts.”
And the firefighters, paramedics and reservists who work at the Boulder City Fire Department would be among the first to agree. Earlier this year, Ryno, a golden retriever, came to live at the station whenever his owner/handler Walt West is on duty.
But more than just bringing happiness, Ryno is a certified therapy dog whose presence helps reduce stress and anxiety among the firefighters and paramedics.
Stress is a serious issue and mental health issues have been overlooked in the fire service, said Boulder City Fire Department Chief Will Gray.
“Firefighters across the country have seen an uptick in (post-traumatic stress disorder) and suicide.”