Skip to Content

‘They Just Put You At Ease’: Team Of Emotional Support Dogs Helping With Mental Health Side Of Surfside Tragedy

<i>WFOR</i><br/>Axel the Rottweiler and the rest of his emotional support buddies from the Crisis Response Canines team.
WFOR
WFOR
Axel the Rottweiler and the rest of his emotional support buddies from the Crisis Response Canines team.

By Web Staff

Click here for updates on this story

    MIAMI, Florida (WFOR) — Search-and-rescue crews have arrived from all over the world and all over the country to help with the Surfside condo collapse. And on Wednesday, a team of emotional support dogs showed up to lend a helping paw.

Axel the pooch was pooped after working a super long day.

“Our mission is to provide emotional support to family and first responders,” said John Hunt with Crisis Response Canines.

This popular pack arrived Tuesday from New Jersey. So popular that they have their own business cards.

Axel, Tarik and the rest of this cordial canine crew aren’t just good looking – they’re smart too.

The dogs have three levels of training – basic therapy, crisis training, for situations like what just happened in Surfside, and PTSD.

Axel and Tarik’s handlers explained to CBS4’s Joel Waldman why dogs are better than people when it comes to catastrophes.

“We come and say to a person going through a terrible tragedy, ‘How you doing?’ Dogs don’t do that, they just put you at ease,” Hunt explained.

“Dogs don’t judge, don’t ask questions. They’re just here to provide comfort, even it’s for five minutes,” added Nancy Mittleman.

Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Article Topic Follows: CNN - Regional

Jump to comments ↓

CNN Newsource

BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION

ABC 17 News is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.

Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here

If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here.

Skip to content