VIDEO: West Metro Fire started the dog therapy program four years ago with two dogs, Remmey and Captain. Fast forward to today, the program is the largest in the state, with 11 therapy dogs.
“The dogs bring an amazing sense of calmness and excitement to our crews. The dogs are just a really good addition to our crews and we’ve added to our toolbox of mental health and wellness," said Captain Reid Norwood at West Metro Fire station 3. Firefighters respond to thousands of calls each year, some of those calls can be difficult and hit close to home for some firefighters, which can leave a lasting impact on crews even for those who have years of experience. “I think historically, firefighters, we would just bury whatever we were experiencing. That includes hard calls and whatever’s going on at home."