Dogs offer crucial support to first responders
CONCORD, CA (Dec. 11, 2021) — First responders who have suffered physical or psychological injury now have an opportunity to get support from canine companions, thanks to Clayton resident Mark Ruefenacht and his nonprofit National Institute of Canine Service and Training.
James Franklin, a police officer in his 20s, was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). According to Franklin, the job of being a police officer has gotten more difficult over the past year. Those who stayed on the force are working longer shifts with little time to mentally recover from the stressful job and difficult things they see. There has also been an increase in hate and negativity directed toward cops, both in messages they receive and on social media. In some cases, cops have even been physically assaulted.
“All I’ve wanted to do in my career is help people,” said Franklin. “I come from a family of ministers, so it was how I grew up. The hate toward cops over the past year caused a lot of isolation and mental stress for a lot of cops. I started not wanting anyone to know I was a cop.”
Lending a comforting paw
He found out about the First Responders Canine program (FRK9) and became one of its first graduates. Training with his border collie, Ryan, for six months has helped his mental health, and he is now transitioning back to work in a new department.
“I can’t put into words how helpful Ryan is to me,” Franklin said. “Ryan saves my life every day.”
Ryan is trained as a certified service dog and has all the rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). He helps Franklin in crowded situations and stays vigilant so Franklin can relax. Ryan will also rest a paw on Franklin’s leg to ease stress.
Neal Oilar was another participant in FRK9’s first graduation on Nov. 6. The police officer was stabbed and also suffered from a traumatic brain injury on the job. Only in his 20s, he had to medically retire from the police force. His new dog Cooper is aiding in his recovery.
Four categories of support
Ruefenacht started Dogs4Diabetics 20 years ago. Dogs going through this program are trained to use smell to indicate when their person’s blood sugar is too high or too low, keeping diabetics healthier.
“Not all dogs are suited to this scent training,” explained Ruefenacht, “and I wanted to find another avenue for those dogs. There are other organizations helping veterans get support animals, but not a lot helping our first responders.”
The FRK9 program assists with four categories of dogs:
Partner Service Dogs, like Ryan and Cooper, who have full access to rights under ADA.
Buddy Dogs who are for at-home support.
Facility/Department Dogs that can be used for crisis intervention, comfort during debriefing or after stressful shifts.
Therapy Dogs whom volunteers take to events, hospitals, etc.
The organization does not house their dogs in kennels like some of the other service dog training organizations. Foster families raise the dogs and bring them to the Concord facility for training until they graduate from the program. The group is always looking for foster families and volunteers who help in many ways.
New fundraising campaign
Funding mostly comes from individual donors and grants. The Helping Paws Club at Clayton Valley Charter High School is raising money to help buy service dog jackets. Ryan’s training was made possible by a grant from the Petco Foundation.
Ruefenacht has also launched an end-of-year fundraising campaign and secured a matching grant from the state chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, a worldwide fraternal charitable service organization. He hopes to raise $75,000 by Dec. 31, which will be matched. For more information, visit ourdogssavelives.org.
FRK9 already has 10 applicants for the next training round.
“As an organization, we stand up for first responders,” Ruefenacht noted. “We want them to know that their dog will be there for them 24/7.”
Kara Navolio
Kara Navolio is a freelance writer, telling stories of real life heroes and interesting people for several local newspapers since 2015, including The Pioneer and Lamorinda Weekly. She is also the editor of a local magazine, Northgate Living, and her debut children’s picture book Everybody Can Dance! was released by Brandylane Publishers, Inc. in May 2019. She has lived in Walnut Creek with her husband for 30 years and is the mom of two now grown children.