The Healing Power of Dogs: Crisis Canines Supporting First Responders

How a husband and wife team in Iowa is improving firefighter mental health and retention, one dog at a time. 

When a young boy recognized Glory, a female German Shepherd, at a community event, he sprinted across the park. “Is this Glory?” he asked. “She stayed with me the day my little brother died.” At just 11-years old, the boy endured unthinkable loss. But the memory of Glory’s calm and comforting presence turned the worst moment of his life into something he could carry with a little less pain.

These types of interactions are what inspired Justin Smith and his wife, Rebecca, to start Crisis Canines of the Midlands, a program which utilizes highly trained facility dogs to support first responders and the communities they serve.

A Vision Born from a Firehouse

When Justin was working as the Battalion Chief of EMS for the Knoxville Fire Department in Iowa, he saw firsthand how stress and trauma impacted his crew. “Our first responders don’t always have as long of a career as we’d like,” Rebecca said. “Mental health is a huge reason, and we wanted to find a resource to help.”

The solution came in the form of Glory, a puppy with the perfect temperament for the job. Partnering with trainer Anna Childs of Adelhorst Kennels, Justin and Rebecca trained Glory as a Crisis Response K9. 

While the firehouse embraced the idea, there was no budget for the program, so the couple decided to take on the costs themselves. “It was simply too good an opportunity to pass up,” Rebecca said. 

Word of Glory’s impact spread quickly. Soon, other firehouses, police departments and EMS teams wanted the same kind of support but weren’t sure where to start. This was when Justin and Rebecca decided to create the nonprofit Crisis Canines of the Midlands.

From Idea to Certified Companions

The nonprofit works to pair designated handlers with the right dog and guides each team through an intensive training program led by the TEAM K9 Academy. The rigorous program exposes dogs to challenging scenarios designed to build composure and resilience. According to Rebecca, training covers everything from flashing lights and blaring sirens to fire suppression drills and helicopters landing just feet away.

Choosing the right dog starts with temperament. “We work with all breeds of dogs - Golden Retrievers, Labradors, mixed breeds and even rescues,” Rebecca said. “We look for dogs with low reactivity to certain situations but have a high social drive and eagerness to be alongside people.” Once matched, each dog lives with its handler, becoming both a trusted companion at home and a reliable partner at the station.

“The goal is for the dog to stay steady when someone else feels completely out of control,” Rebecca explained. “A calm dog has the power to ground someone in the middle of a crisis.”

To maintain steadiness, Justin and Rebecca also lead quarterly training sessions in unpredictable, high-stimulation environments, like amusement parks, helping dogs and handlers prepare for the unexpected.

Building and Funding the Program

Training is only part of the challenge; funding is another.

“Almost all the fire departments we help have budget constraints,” Rebecca said. “Between acquiring the dogs, training them, traveling to Ohio for certification and covering equipment and care, start-up costs can reach up to $10,000 per dog.”

To bridge the gap, the program helps departments secure grants and private funding. Rebecca also leverages her veterinary connections to secure corporate partnerships with major pet industry names, including Purina, which provides discounted food. Vaccines and preventive care manufacturers donate supplies and Rebecca’s own veterinary clinic offers ongoing wellness exams and treatments — completely free of charge.

“Even with the generous support we’ve received, we’re stretched thin,” she admitted. “Demand for these dogs is huge, and more departments are reaching out every month.”

Since its founding in 2022, Crisis Canines of the Midlands has certified 32 dogs, with another 14 currently in training. Departments from Iowa to Texas and Mississippi have joined the program.

The program now has eleven board members, each bringing unique experiences. “We have another veterinarian, a master dog trainer and someone from each branch of EMS,” Rebecca said. “It’s a diverse group, and all these people are working on a volunteer basis, which is incredible of them.”

Expanding Awareness and Fundraising Efforts

In July, the nonprofit hosted its first major fundraiser at Knoxville Raceway, featuring a parade lap of handlers and dogs, contests and meet-and-greets. They also attend major conferences like the FDIC Firefighter Conference to raise awareness, even though the travel and accommodation costs come entirely out of their own pockets. “This program is definitely like a second full-time job and it’s a huge investment on our end,” Rebecca said. “But more and more people are recognizing the importance behind our efforts.” 

Making It All Worthwhile 

“These dogs don’t just support first responders, they change lives,” Rebecca said, recalling the boy who remembered Glory from the day his brother died. “Right there is the why. When you see how a dog can shift someone’s memory of the worst day of their life, you know it’s worth every single hour of training and fundraising.”

It’s people like Justin and Rebecca who remind us true service goes beyond the call of duty. Their tireless commitment, from sleepless nights training dogs to long days fundraising, is driven by the belief no one should face their hardest moments alone.

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