We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides trained crisis therapy dog teams to individuals and communities experiencing crisis, trauma, or high-stress situations. Our mission is to provide comfort, calm, and care when it is needed most.

Beyond our immediate response to emergencies, the Crisis Canine Corps is deeply committed to community engagement and outreach. Our teams frequently participate in local events, educational presentations, and so much more to promote mental wellness and the healing power of our 4-legged friends.

Our training is an ongoing process. We believe that a good therapy canine is one that never stops learning. Our teams participate in regular "skills maintenance" drills to stay sharp for the next call. The canines go through significant training and have received certifications that are recognized by the AKC (American Kennel Club).

Our trained canines provide specialized emotional support and "psychological first aid" in high-stress environments. Our teams can operate in the immediate aftermath of a crisis, as well as provide that connection to our community.

Our services include:

• Acute Stress Reduction: Scientific studies show that interacting with a trained canine lowers cortisol and increases oxytocin.

• The "Social Bridge": In the wake of a traumatic event, victims often "shut down." A Crisis Canine acts as a neutral third party, helping to break the ice and making it easier for survivors to begin the healing process.

• First Responder Decompression: We provide "paw support" after difficult calls for law enforcement, fire, EMS, dispatchers, and any medical personnel to help process cumulative stress in a low-pressure way.

• Community Presence & Stability: We connect with our community through outreach and support efforts that encourage resilience and mental and emotional well-being.

While the services above represent our core missions, the true value of a Crisis Canine team lies in their ability to adapt to any environment. Our teams provide whatever support is needed most in the moment.

Specialized teams provide emotional and psychological support in the aftermath of traumatic events. These trained team duos work to help survivors and first responders manage the emotional and mental impact they have experienced. By offering a calming presence, these teams help lower physiological tension, making it easier for individuals to communicate and begin the recovery process.  

On official deployment, our canines maintain a high level of professional courtesy and use their training to provide a physical and emotional grounding.

Their tasks are designed to:

• Regulate Stress: Help balance the nervous system through touch

• Create Space: Using “barrier blocking” to help individuals feel more secure in their immediate environment

• Provide Distraction: Offer tactile engagement to redirect focus during moments of heightened anxiety

Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) is a specialized framework our handlers use to help individuals navigate the intense psychological and emotional impact of a traumatic event. It is designed to stabilize a situation and accelerate the natural recovery process for those exposed to traumatic or high-intensity events.

Our CISM-Trained handlers focus on 3 primary pillars of support:

• Building Resistance: Providing pre-incident education and resources so individuals have a strong mental foundation before a crisis occurs.

• Fostering Resilience: Helping people effectively process and move through psychological or emotional distress following an incident.

• Supporting Recovery: Assisting individuals in returning to their daily routines with a renewed send of safety, self-worth, and stability.

By integrating CISM with our trained canines, we provide a comprehensive support system that addresses both the immediate physical symptoms of stress and the long-term journey toward healing.

While all therapy dogs provide comfort, every team in our corps is a highly trained working dog unit to work in chaotic, unpredictable, or emotionally intense environments. Depending on the nature of the request, we deploy teams with the specific training profile required for that environment. This includes a specialized group of handlers with advanced training in Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM), allowing us to provide targeted support where it’s needed.

• Our canines are classified as working dogs because they are trained in specific tasks to assist multiple people rather than a single individual.

• Our canines utilize techniques such as Deep Pressure Therapy (DPT), grounding, and tactile distraction to help regulate the nervous system.

• Several teams have advanced training in Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) to ensure they can provide appropriate support where needed.

Standard therapy certifications serve as the foundation, but our canines go through additional training to handle the high-intensity environments of a crisis.

• Visit our Request A Visit Page: Navigate to our Request a Visit page where the form will be located.

• Submit the Form: Fill out the request form and the required fields.

• Assessment: Once the form is submitted, a member of our team team will review the request to ensure a safe and effective match for our canine teams.

• Coordination: We will reach out to the point of contact provided on the request form to discuss logistics and any specific "Paw Support" needs your group has.

• Deployment: Our Crisis Canine team will arrive at the scheduled time, fully briefed and ready to provide support.

Our mission is to support our community wherever the need is greatest. While our dogs often work in sensitive or restricted environments that require formal coordination, we welcome inquiries from all corners of our community. Whether you are a department head, a local business owner, a non-profit director, or a concerned neighbor looking to support your group, we are here to help.

If you aren’t sure who holds the “keys” to your location, reach out anyway! We can help you navigate the process to ensure we have the proper permissions to be on-site.

If there are any questions, please include in the Request A Visit form located on the Request A Visit page.

Currently, our teams primarily deploy to facilities, organizations, and community gathering points (hospitals, shelters, schools, etc.) to reach as many people as possible. However, please contact us to see if we can recommend a partner organization for individual needs.

We have many breeds in our corps, including some low-shedding dogs. If you have a specific allergy concern, please let us know so we can match you with the appropriate team.

No. As a non-profit, we do not charge for our crisis response therapy dog services. We are fully funded by the generosity of our donors which allows us to focus entirely on support without financial barriers.

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Yes. We are a registered 501(c)(3), your donations are 100% tax-deductible. You will receive a receipt for your records immediately following your donation.

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Donations cover the costs of specialized crisis training, insurance, travel expenses for deployments, and essential gear (like branded vests) for our canines.

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