Therapy dogs help Broward County first responders and community NBC 6 South Florida [Video]

A new program in Broward County is using therapy dogs to respond to traumatic scenes, helping not only the community members impacted but the mental health of first responders as well. 

“Prior to this there was no way for therapy dogs within Broward to be contacted should the need arise, such as any type of critical incident at the police departments or fire stations,” said Officer Dana Doklean, of the Hollywood Police Department.

There are 15 dogs in the Broward First Responders Support Dogs. Their job is to provide much needed emotional support, whether that’s visiting schools in the community, helping with hurricane relief efforts or on critical scenes. 

“So I take her to school. We do reading programs and interact with kids with learning disabilities,” said firefighter Tim Abramczyk, of the Florida Forest Service.

Last year, K-9 Mango responded after a Broward Sheriff’s Office helicopter crashed in Pompano Beach, …