FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 4, 2008
CONTACT: Firefighter/PIO Daniel Valenzuela
Glendale Fire Department, (623) 695-7668

Glendale Fire Introduces First Crisis Response Dog

Glendale Fire Department Crisis Response (CR) Program has recently entered its seventh year of service in the community and has made an important addition to the team. The team of crisis response volunteers welcomes Topaz, the first crisis response dog to work with a fire department.

The year and a half old yellow lab has been through extensive training and can actually sense when people are frightened or grieving. Topaz is used as a tool for communication. “He actually helps build a therapeutic bridge between the customer and the crisis interventionist,” said Lynette Jelinek, Glendale Fire Human Services Division Manager. “He helps lighten the mood, and bring in a calming effect to a situation that may seem out of control,” Jelinek continued.

Glendale Fire adopted the trained service dog from Paws with a Cause, an organization that trains various service animals for people with disabilities.

“The mission statement of the Glendale Fire Department is - Fast, Caring, Innovative, and Professional. The Crisis Response team and Topaz fall in line with our overall mission of serving the community,” said Mark Burdick, Glendale Fire Chief.

Topaz was dispatched to an Avondale scene this morning when a school bus, transporting 40 children, was involved in an auto accident. One child was transported to a valley hospital to be checked out. Many students were shaken by the event and were taken to school using a separate bus. When the students arrived to Wigwam Creek Middle School in Litchfield Park, they were greeted by the Glendale Fire Crisis Response Team and Topaz. “Somehow the focus was taken off of the incident itself and put on to this dog,” said Cathy Butt, School Assistant Principle. “We were all so thankful for Topaz and the Glendale Crisis Response Team,” Ms. Butt continued. Click here to learn more about the Crisis Response Team.