New canine support team helps firefighters handle growing demands

WALNUT CREEK, CA (Nov. 26, 2024) — The world of firefighters is increasingly demanding as they shoulder ever more responsibilities in the field, leaving emotional and psychological scars.

It’s a far cry from the days when it was matter of getting on the truck and heading out to fight fires.

But a pair of peer support dogs named Mara and Gabby may make the way forward a little less daunting for first responders at Contra Costa Fire Protection District’s Station 12. They are the newest editions to an array of canines helping the staff deal with the uncertainties encountered on the front lines.

“Our peer support canine teams provide a unique and effective form of therapy that helps our firefighters cope with the challenges they face by reducing stress, improving morale and fostering a sense of camaraderie within our organization,” said Battalion Chief Bob Atlas, noting that firefighters are expected to tackle more complicated issues than in the past.

The two dogs joined Baxter, trained for fire investigation, and Bonus, assigned to the Search and Rescue Task Force, for a swearing-in and paw printing ceremony at Station 12 on Nov. 4.

Helping firefighters, and victims

Deputy Fire Chief Brian Helmick, whose role includes overseeing the district’s Health and Wellness Initiatives, said plans have been in development since 2022 after observing dogs’ positive impact in other districts and various health and wellness programs. One key objective of ConFire’s program has been to enhance mental and emotional support for emergency responders through the inclusion of comfort dogs.

The district has committed $10,000 annually to cover the dogs’ care, training and operational costs. They aren’t currently pursuing any grants for this initiative, although there may be opportunities to seek additional funding as the program evolves.

“While the primary focus of the comfort dogs is to support emergency responders, they can also offer comfort to victims affected by incidents such as fires,” said Helmick. “The presence of these dogs aims to create a calming environment, helping responders and those impacted process their experiences more effectively.”

The plan is to incorporate three comfort dogs into the program initially.

“The long-term vision includes the possibility of expanding the program based on feedback and the evolving demands of our emergency services,” Helmick said.

Forming a deep bond

Fire Chief Lewis Broschard lauded the firefighters for their commitment and dedication to take on these additional unique roles. But officials were quick to note to those in attendance: “They don’t get to pick the dogs – the dogs choose them.”

Engineer Samson Wong previously enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served in the Marine Corps Reserves for 8½ years. He was deployed to Iraq in 2003 and joined ConFire in 2011. It was a year and day in the making before he and Mara, a 2½-year-old Golden/Labrador Retriever mix, joined forces. Wong sees the fire district program as an extension of what is happening in the military and other arenas to recognize “a glaring need” for issues related to mental health.

Gabby’s handler, Firefighter Hunter Doliber, joined ConFire in 2022 after a seven-year stint in the U.S. Marine Corps. He expressed being honored to have the opportunity to serve alongside the 2-year-old Newfoundland/Golden Retriever Mix to help his fellow firefighters as they tackle new challenges taking over the profession.

The peer support canine teams complement the certified arson accelerant team of Baxter, a Labrador Retriever, and his handler, Capt. Ryan Graham, who began his career in law enforcement before ConFire in 2016; and Bonus, a 6-year-old Labrador Retriever, and Engineer Tony Vasta, a member of ConFire since 2016.

David Scholz

David Scholz is back in journalism as a freelance writer and photographer after nearly two decades in education. Prior to moving into teaching in 2000, he worked as a full-time journalist since 1988 for rural community and small daily newspapers in Central Ohio and Northern Nevada, and later in California with The Business Journal in Fresno and dailies in the Bay Area, including The Oakland Tribune and The San Francisco Chronicle. More recently Scholz also worked in an editing, writing, and page layout role with the Rossmoor News.