There’s a new crew member on the staff at the Hopkinsville Fire Department, and this one comes with four paws and a wagging tail, as they welcome therapy dog Bear to the team.
Bear is a Labrador Retriever that comes trained to the department as a donation from Freedom Services Dogs out of Denver, Colorado—and he’s one the only fire-based services dogs that is focused exclusively on emotional support in the state of Kentucky.
Bear will serve alongside his handler, Chaplain Nathan Miller, and he will work to provide comfort, support and a calming presence when it’s needed most. Whether that’s assisting first responders during debriefings and after-action reviews or offering a friendly, fuzzy face to individuals following traumatic events, Bear is ready and willing to help carry the emotional weight that often comes with the of being a first responder.
Officials say in a post, “Just like his namesake, Bear stands as a symbol of strength, care, and protection — but with a softer side that reminds us none of us have to face difficult moments alone.”