Crisis Response Canines

"Purpose Beyond Oneself"

Animal

Assisted Crisis Response

CRISIS RESPONSE CANINES

STRENGTH THROUGH COMFORT

MISSION

The mission of Crisis Response Canines is to provide strength, comfort, and emotional support to individuals, families, communities, and first responders experiencing intense traumatic emotions in the aftermath of critical incidents.

ABOUT

Crisis Response Canines (CRC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization comprised of certified K9 teams throughout the United States who have dedicated thousands of hours comforting those impacted by personal or community crisis events. Our highly trained K9 teams are experienced in psychological first aid and certified to work effectively in crisis environments supporting anyone affected by mass shootings, large-scale accidents, violence, abuse, tragic death, suicides, terrorism, natural disasters (fire, flood, hurricane, etc.) and more.

Our goal is to establish a nationwide network of canine crisis response teams who can be deployed immediately where they are needed most. CRC also offers local volunteer services that are provided by the handlers and their canine partners, offering a level of comfort and calmness that only a canine can.

CRC has two team levels: CRC Comfort and CRC Operational Deployment. Our CRC Comfort Teams serve as the foundation for our visits to hospitals, schools, businesses, speaking events, and other similar opportunities. The CRC Operational Deployment teams have the capability to respond to National Crisis Events .CRC is a strategic partner with the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF). Operational Deployment Members are mandated to successfully complete ICISF Individual and Group training. Additional training completed by the Operational Deployment teams include the AKC Canine Good Citizen Advanced (CGCA), Canine Good Citizen Urban (CGCU) Certification, CRC Crisis Response Canine Working Dog Certification, Law Enforcement Defensive Systems Crisis Working Dog Certification, and specific courses associated with healthcare, mental, & behavioral health.

Our volunteer members and their canine partners completed background checks and must complete a comprehensive series of nationally recognized certifications and commit to ongoing training with annual re-testing/re-certifications as required to perform duties.

NATIONAL DEPLOYMENTS

Orlando, FL

Pulse Nightclub

Las Vegas, NV. Route 91 Harvest Festival

Sutherland Springs, TX. First Baptist Church

Parkland, FL

Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School

Pittsburg, PA Tree of Life Synagogue

Virginia Beach, VA Municipal Center

El Paso, TX Walmart

Dayton, OH Ned Peppers Bar

Pleasantville, NJ Football Game

Fairfield, NJ House Party

Surfside, FL Champlain Towers

Oxford, MI

Baltimore, MD

Oxford High School

Baltimore Fire Department

Bridgewater, VA Bridgewater College

Buffalo, NY Tops Friendly Market Stores

Uvalde, TX Robb Elementary School

Philadelphia, PA Girard College

Highland Park, IL Fourth of July Parade

Charlottesville, VA University of Virginia East Lansing, MI Michigan State Shooting

West Reading, PA R. M. Palmer Chocolate Factory Explosion

Nashville, TN The Covenant School Shooting

Lewiston, ME Bar and Bowling Alley Shooting

TRAINING AND CERTIFICATIONS

Critical Incident Stress Management ICISF CISM

NJDRCC- Crisis Counselor

National Independent Background Check

National Therapy Dog Certifications

AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC, CGCA, CGCU)

AKC Temperament Test (ATT)

CRC Crisis Canine Certification

Law Enforcement Defensive Systems Working Service Dog

Hospital/ Healthcare Visit Protocol /HIPAA

NIMS

Mental Health First Aid

QPR Training

Canine & Human First Aid and CPR

Canine Body Language

AWARD WINNING SERVICE

Strategic Partner with International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF)

Affiliated Partner with ADIAssistance Dog International

Highest American Kennel Club

Therapy Dog Titles (THDS)

Alliance of Therapy Dogs

Tester/Observer

AKC ACE Therapy Dog Winner

US Congressional Recognition for Extraordinary Volunteerism

NJ State Senate Proclamation

New Jersey Department of Health- EMS CouncilCommunity Service Award

Schwarzman Animal Medical Center Top Dog Honoree

Mercury CISM Member

Presidential Services Awards

NJ Jefferson Service Award

ICISF Pioneering Spirit Award

PRESENTATIONS

CRC Active Shooter Presentations

CRC Critical Incident Stress Management/Animal Assisted Crisis Response (CISM/AACR)

CRC Workplace Violence

Animal Assisted Workplace Wellbeing

Experience:

Canine Obedience/Behavior Instructor

Crisis Response Canine

Healthcare

Corporate Retail Merchandisng/Managment

Areas of Experience:

Alliance of Therapy Dog Tester / Observer

AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator (CGC, CGCA, CGCU)

AKC Temperament Tester

Canine Agility Instructor

Masters Level Agility Competitor Canine Obedience Instructor

AKC Obedience and Rally Competitor

Education:

* BS, Philadelphia University

* Active Shooter Instructor Certified

* Association of Animal-Assisted Intervention Professionals, C-AAIS Certified

*Certification Counsel for Professional Dog Trainers, CPDT-KA

* ICISF, CCISM Certified

* Disaster Relief Counselor

* FEMA ICS 100, 200, 700 & 800

Related Experiences:

*Professional Member of The Association of Pet Dog Trainers

* Professional Member of International Association of Pet Dog Trainers

* Canine Instructor for Animal Assist Canine Academy– Area of Focus: Working Service Dog Certification

Crisis Response Canines (CRC): Deployments: PULSE (Orlando, FL); Route 91 Festival (Las Vegas, NV); First Baptist Church (South Sutherland, TX); Marjory Stoneman Douglas H.S. (Parkland, FL); Tree of Life (Pittsburgh, PA); Virginia Beach Complex (Virginia Beach, VA); Walmart (El Paso, TX)

Awards:

* Presidential Lifetime Volunteer Award

* Congressional Proclamation for extraordinary volunteerism

* NJ State Governor’s Jefferson Award

* AKC Therapy Dog Distingusted Title (K9 Rusty)

Andrea Hering, C-AAIS, CCISM , CPDT-KA

Co-founder & CEO Crisis Response Canines Inc., Managing Partner of Senior Benefits Center

Andrea Hering, Co-Founder & CEO of Crisis Response Canines Inc. (CRC) has been actively involved in training and participating with therapy dog teams for over 14 years. A firm believer in the strength of the human-canine bond and the benefits with a lifelong passion for dog training, Andrea has actively instructed, trained, and competed in master level agility competitions such as Rally Obedience, and Coursing in both CAT and Fast CAT. Andrea is also a certified tester and observer for the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, Canine Body Language Instructor, AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, AKC Temperament Tester, AAAIP C-AAIS certified, Certified Professional Dog Trainer Knowledge Assessed, ICISF CCISM certified, and Disaster Relief Crisis Counselor.

Andrea had first developed a passion for Animal Assisted Intervention with her first certified Therapy and Crisis Response Canine, Rusty. Rusty and Andrea supported schools, hospice, nursing homes, and library reading programs in the southern NJ area where she began to see the need for more advanced emergency response training that would allow her handlers and canines to better serve in unpredictable crisis environments.

In 2015, realizing the benefits of resilience while working through the healing process by connecting with canines, she co-founded Tri-State Canine Response team and participated in highly visible active/mass shooting deployments across the country.  In 2018, Andrea expanded the concept of animal assisted interventions by forming Crisis Response Canines (CRC) with the mission of providing a nationwide network of highly trained crisis response canine handlers and dogs. Through her tireless dedication, Andrea has volunteered hundreds of hours over the past 10 years to provide support to communities and individuals with her certified Crisis Response Canines.

As the CEO of CRC, Andrea provides detailed Crisis Intervention insight to the highly qualified handlers across the country and mentors new teams on Canine Handling and Canine Body Language. She continues to expand her knowledge of crisis response by completing certificate programs such as receiving her ICISF CCISM certification, Disaster Response Crisis Counselor Certificate, and becoming an AAAIP Certified Animal Assisted Intervention Specialist. Andrea pursues advanced knowledge of dog training and behavior and is recognized as a professional member of the International Association of Pet Dog Trainers and The Association of Pet Dog Trainers. She has presented to various organizations including, The National Therapy Dog Symposium on 'The Role of a Crisis Response Dog' explaining the different types of Animal Assisted Interventions and role of Crisis Response Canines and how it differs from a Therapy Dog

Andrea's current Crisis Response Canine Golden Retriever, Lincoln, achieved his Certified Working Dog Certificate and passed the AKC Temperament Evaluation before his second birthday. Lincoln can provide deep pressure therapy (DPT) or tactile distraction on cue or instinct when working with individuals to help regulate breathing and grounding behaviors to allow for decompression and respite from stressful situations. Lincoln and Andrea have responded to national and local animal assisted crisis response events providing strength through comfort

A mother of 2 children, Andrea balances her life at home, her responsibilities as the managing partner of an independent life and health insurance agency, as well as continuing to provide support to local and national CRC deployments

Years of Experience:

Law Enforcement – 27 years

Homeland Security – 22 yrs

Healthcare – 14 yrs.

Areas of Experience:

National Response Plan / Framework

National Incident Management System Incident Command System

Risk/Threat Assessment (Em. Mgt.)

Healthcare & Education Systems CISM, Workplace Violence, Active Shooter

Preparedness & Human Trafficking Education:

MA, Seton Hall University

BS, La Salle University

FBI National Academy

Certified Hospital Emergency Coordinator CHEC

ICISF CCISM certified (Instructor)

Active Shooter Instructor Certified C-AAIS Certified Animal Assisted Intervention Specialist

Related Experiences:

Deputy Director NJ OEM

NJ Domestic Preparedness Task Force

Published Author of the following 5 articles:

IACP: – Police Chief: Emergency Preparedness and Response articles

Intersec: The Journal of International Security: A Disaster by Any Other Name

ICISF / Police 1: Supporting the Front-line Heroes; the Role of CISM, Animal Assisted Therapy & Animal Assisted Intervention.

Crisis Response Canines:

K-9’s Gunther, Axel,Ivan & Jolene: ATD, CRC and Working Service / AnimalAssistCanineCertified Deployments: PULSE (Orlando); Route 91 Festival (Las Vegas); First Baptist Church (South Sutherland Texas); Marjory Stoneman Douglas H.S. (Parkland, Fla.), Tree of Life, (Pitt. Pa), Virginia Beach Complex, Virginia Beach, VA, Walmart, El Paso, Texas, Champlain Towers, Surfside, Fla. Uvalde, Texas, Nashville, Tenn. & other traumatic events..

Awards:

* President’s Lifetime Volunteer Service

* Congressional Proclamation for extraordinary volunteerism

* NJ Governor’s Jefferson Award

* NJ State Senate Joint Resolution

* New Jersey State Police Former Trooper of the Year

* ICISF Pioneer Award

* National EMS Community Award

John Hunt, Co-Founder & COO Crisis Response Canines, CrisisInterventionandCanineProfessional

John is a 27-year veteran of the New Jersey State Police where he achieved the rank of Major. John was the Homeland Security –Special Operations Section Commanding Officer. John also served as the Deputy Director of the New Jersey Officer of Emergency Management. John served as the Corporate Director of Security and Emergency Management for a New Jersey Health System.

John has national and international experience as a keynote speaker including presentations at the Weapons of Mass Destruction Exercise in Israel, the Global Terrorism symposium in Belgium and multiple presentations in Washington regarding terrorism and active shooter. He is called upon frequently to assist with preparing, preventing, training, and exercising in Homeland Security solutions. For the past 20 years, John has been providing presentations associated with hospital, school and church security including a focus on how best to prepare for and counter an active shooter event.

John was trained in Crisis Intervention while serving in the New Jersey State Police directly after 9/11. John utilized his Crisis Intervention expertise many times during his service with the NJ State Police in addressing critical events. John achieved additional education through the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF). John has accomplished certification in ICISF Assisting Individuals in Crisis and Group Crisis Intervention. John continued his ICISF training achieving ICISF Instructor accreditation. John also studied the impact of canines with crisis interventions and achieved Certified Animal Assisted Intervention Specialist / C-AAIS. Realizing the benefits of resilience and healing through connecting with canines, John focused his canine training with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD). He achieved the ATD Therapy certification and then focused his training on Canine Crisis Response. John worked directly with Crisis Response Canines (CRC) to achieve CRC certification. John then attended an extensive canine training course where he and his canines achieved ‘Working Service Dog’ certification. John’s canine’s area of specialty is working with those impacted by crisis events. John is Co-Founder and COO for Crisis Response Canines. He has 3 Rottweilers all of which are ATD, CRC and Law Enforcement Defense Systems, Working Service Dog certified. John has been directly involved training canines in obedience for over 30 years. John achieved certification as a canine instructor for Law Enforcement Defensive Systems. John and his Rottweilers Gunther & Axel have achieved several national awards for their volunteer work across the country. John and his certified Rottweilers Gunther and Axel have responded to several significant events to include Pulse Nightclub (Orlando, Fla), Route 91 Festival (Las Vegas, NV), First Baptist Church (Sutherland Springs, TX), Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School (Parkland, FL), Tree of Life Synagogue (Pittsburgh, PA), Champlain Towers (Surfside, Fla), Robb Elementary, Uvalde Tx & Covenant School, Nashville, Tenn. John is also a member of MERCURY Critical Incident Response Team. This organization provides critical incident stress management to those serving in law enforcement, fire, EMS, and Communications John frequently interacts with military organizations including Wounded Warriors, T.A.P.S. and numerous visits to veteran organizations. John was acknowledged by ICISF as developing the CISM/AACR Model. (Critical Incident Stress Management / Animal Assisted Crisis Response) (ICISF Pioneer Award Recipient)

Years of Experience:

* 37years of experience in healthcare

Areas of Experience:

*Cardiology, Critical Care, EMS

*Vice President of Quality for a large health care system.

Education:

*Master’s in Nursing- Walden University

*Certification- Leadership and Management

*Rutgers University Certificate- Trauma Response and Crisis Intervention

*Critical Incident Stress Management Certification (CCISM), University of Maryland, Baltimore County

* Certified Active Shooter Instructor

*FEMA ICS100, 200, 288, 700

*Resilient Leadership for Emergency Services and Healthcare Professions

*NJ Disaster Relief Crisis Counselor

*Faculty- Society of Critical Care Medicine

Published Author of the following articles:

* Supporting the Frontline Heroes; the Role of CISM and Animal Assisted Therapy.

International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, Inc

*Formal structures and processes promote system-wide focus on core measures, leading to significantly better performance. Agency for Healthcare Quality andResearch

Presentations:

*Society of Critical Care Medicine- Crisis Response Canines: Health and Wellness for Critical Care Providers

*Sigma Theta Tau-Animal Assisted Workplace Wellbeing

*Vizient- Active Shooter- Post Event Psychosocial Response

*Pennsylvania Healthcare Quality Association- Workplace Violence, CISM/Animal Assisted Crisis Response

*OHSA healthcare Symposium- Lessons Learned from COVID- Innovation, Communication, Safety and Resilience

*Multiple additional regional, national, international presentations on variety of topics including healthcare matters, resilience, workplace violence, workforce wellbeing, psychological first aid, COVID pandemic response.

Crisis Response Canines (CRC):

*Deployments: Baltimore, Maryland, Uvalde, Texas, Nashville, TN, & other events.

Volunteer Experience:

* Board Member- SoroptimistInternational, Long Beach Island

* Philanthropy Committee- St. Francis Parish, Long Beach Island

* Honor Flight

* Beach Haven First Aid Squad Memberships

*International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF)

* Sigma Theta Tau

*New Jersey State Nurses Association Awards

*President’s Gold Award for Volunteer Service

* Nursing Leadership Award

Mary Law, MSN, RN, CCISM Health Care Liaison, Board Chair Crisis Response Canines

Mary Law is a veteran health care professional with decades of experience in a variety of staff and leadership positions. She currently serves as the Vice President of Quality for a large healthcare system. Mary serves as the Board Chair and Health Care Liaison for Crisis Response Canines.

Mary is passionate about the wellbeing of colleagues across professions and the workforce. Throughout her tenure within the medical community, she developed a special interest in creating and adopting innovative approaches that have introduced more effective interventions for healthcare teams to reduce stress, burnout and build resiliency.

Mary was introduced to the concepts of Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) after experiencing first-hand its positive impact on healthcare teams and first responders. She went on to attain CISM and other certifications to better support peers, and the community in the aftermath of critical incidents or traumatic events. Today, she leads her organization’s CISM team and provides executive leadership to the Workforce Wellbeing committee.

During the COVID pandemic, Mary began to accompany Crisis Response Canines (CRC) and handlers as they rounded, interacting with staff, providers, first responders, and patients. They were often called upon to conduct CISM interventions. It was during this period Mary witnessed their ability to break through the stigmas traditionally associated with participation in typical wellbeing interventions.

She began research into the subjective and objective psychological and physiological impact of interactions with the canines. The evidence confirmed her own experience; and she joined CRC to advance this work further, benefiting health care colleagues first responders, and communities affected by tragedy.

Through her volunteer work with CRC, both comfort visits, community events and operational deployments, she recognized the need to continue enhancing her own skill set through further training and to develop others through mentoring, coaching and education. The model developed by CRC of CISM/Animal Assisted Workplace Wellbeing(AAWW) has proven effective and there is a need to broaden its accessibility to others.

Mary is also an ardent advocate for educating others as to the role of Animal Assisted Interventions, post critical incident interventions and Animal Assisted Crisis Response. As CRC’s Health Care Liaison, she collaborates with organizations in adoption of the AAWW. Mary recognizes: “To be present and provide compassionate, healing respite during what is often the most challenging moments in one’s life is a sacred honor and privilege which is held dear.”

Goal-Based Animal Assisted Interventions Standard

Written by: Animal Assist Canine Academy (AACA) & Crisis Response Canines (CRC)

These standards serve as a framework for goal-based animal-assisted Interventions, inclusive of but not limited to animal-assisted workplace well-being, animal-assisted school counseling, and animal-assisted crisis response.

Building Resilient Animal-Assisted Intervention Teams through Training Workshops

Goal-Based Animal-Assisted Intervention teams must be able to handle stress and adapt to changing environments. Animal Assisted Intervention organizations provide training workshops that help develop the skills necessary for handlers and dogs to respond effectively in unpredictable environments such as crisis and disaster scenarios. It's essential that instructors possess crisis/disaster experience and knowledge of ICS, CISM, and mental health first aid and are actively involved in an Animal-Assisted Intervention organization such as CRC. If additional instructor qualifications are required, they will be outlined in the appropriate section below.

The Vital Role of the Handler in Goal- Based Animal-Assisted Interventions

The significance of selecting the appropriate animal for AAI is undeniable, but the role of the handler is equally critical. The handler must possess the necessary knowledge, skills, and attitude to ensure safe and effective interactions. This section is written to complement – not replace – any competencies or regulations that are specific to different healthcare specialties. Below are some key qualities that a handler should possess:

1. The Handler Demonstrates Responsible Animal Ownership:

Handlers should have the ability to support their animal's health and wellness needs, including providing proper nutrition, preventative and responsive veterinary care, mental stimulation, physical exercise, a fear-free approach to training, and companionship for the animal's entire life.

2.The Handler Possesses a Thorough Knowledge of His or Her Animal:

To participate in AAI, handlers should have a comprehensive understanding of their animal's species and breed, as well as the specific traits of their individual animal. This includes the ability to recognize changes in their animal's baseline health indicators to determine factors that may prevent the animal's participation in AAI, such as illness, injury, or aging. Handlers should also be able to identify, understand, and respond to changes in their animal's body language, as well as predict or anticipate their animal's reaction to a variety of stimuli and situations.

3. The Handler Demonstrates Maturity:

A handler must exhibit maturity in their interactions with their animal and those they are assisting to ensure a safe and positive experience for all. A minimum age of 18 is required.

Crisis Response Canine Team (Handler & Canine Standards)

The description of these standards is for all dogs labeled Crisis Response Dogs/Canines including Facility Dogs playing the role of a Crisis Response Canine.

Canine Standards:

A.For each canine participating in a Crisis Response Canine role shall:

1. Upon request, provide proof of current rabies vaccination or other vaccination requested by the facility.

2. Ensure that the dog passes a temperament evaluation conducted by a certified AACA organization.

(a) reactions toward strangers.

(b) reactions to loud stimuli.

(c) reactions to raised voices and unusual physical gestures.

(d) reactions to unusual environments.

(e) reactions to being patted or petted in a vigorous or unusual manner.

(f) reactions to other animals; and

(g) ability to obey handler's commands

(h) reaction to crowded unpredictable environment

(i) ability to handle intense human emotions

(j) ability to properly display stress and decompress

3. Handlers will complete a CBARQ assessment on the canine.

(a)Evaluator will review results with handler

4. Complete a handling assessment

5. Upon request, certification validation will be produced.

6. Ensure that the dog is accompanied, at all times applicable hereto, by its registered handler who successfully completes CRC animal-assisted crisis response training and who shall have complete responsibility for the dog while it is on the premises.

7. Ensure the dog has a CRC dog identifier on its collar or leash.

8. Ensure that the dog is clean and well-groomed within 24 hours of its visit.

9. Ensure that the dog voids only in appropriate areas.

B. CRC agrees to immediately remove from the premises and not utilize again for services hereunder any dog that demonstrates aggressive action to a patient, visitor, or any other person on the premises.

1. CRC agrees to exclude from visitations any dog that has experienced episodes of vomiting or diarrhea, urinary or fecal incontinence, sneezing or coughing of unknown or suspected infectious origin within the past one (1) week.

2. Underwent treatment of non-topical antimicrobials or with any immunosuppressive doses of medications.

3. Suffered from open wounds, ear or skin infections or suffers from orthopedic or other conditions that, in the opinion of the dog's veterinarian, could result in pain or distress to the dog during handling or when maneuvering on the premises.

4. Canines are recertified annually to ensure standards are being met (a) Behavior/Training Assessment (b) Vet Paperwork

5. Anytime there is a change in medical status, the canine will be reassessed before returning to work.

C. Certified Working Service Crisis Canines are trained in a minimum of two tasks, ie. Deep Pressure Therapy, Tactile Distraction, Barrier Blocking

As for canines, here are the expectations:

1. Respond reliably to handler commands.

2. Demonstrate an ability to perform tasks when requested.

3. Be able to turn their attention to their handler during distractions and allow the handler to redirect them when necessary.

4. Display healthy coping behaviors during stressful situations.

Handler Standards:

A. For each handler responsible for a Certified Crisis Response Canine:

1. Background Check

2. Minimum age is 18 years old

3. Complete ICISF CISM Individual and Group Courses (a) Achieve CCISM certification

4. FEMA ICS

(a) 100 Intro to Incident Command (b) 288.A The role of voluntary organizations in Emergency Management (c) 700 An Introduction to the National Incident Management System

5. Canine Body Language Course

6. Human 1st Aid and CPR

7. Canine 1st Aid and CPR

8. Psychological or Mental Health First Aid

9. Utilizing a Crisis Canine after a traumatic event

B. Ensure the handler can safely handle the canine in all environments.

C. Handler demonstrates that they are the canine’s advocate. Puts the safety and welfare of the canine first.

D. Handler understands their role during a crisis intervention with the canine

E. Handler completes all renewal paperwork annually

F. Handler and Canine are covered under a general liability policy when working 1. Minimum Coverage $1M/$3M

Only canines and handlers who have met all the criteria outlined will earn the title Certified Working Service Crisis Canine (C-WSCC) and be able to display the logo.

1. Expectations for handlers and Canines

If you are a CRC member, here are the expectations that you should keep in mind:

2. Advocate for your animal, which includes keeping them free from abuse, discomfort, and distress. Provide them with regular breaks, sufficient off-duty time, and proper healthcare and grooming. Recognize signs of stress and provide an acceptable outlet.

3. Practice self-care and stress management techniques.

4. Provide services without discrimination towards any individual or population.

5. Protect the privacy of those served and maintain confidentiality.

6. Treat others with respect and courtesy.

7. Do not self-deploy.

8. Do not serve outside the scope of your certification/training/assignment.

9. Do not serve while under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs.

10. Display proper identification at all times and provide documentation when asked.

11. Refer individuals to other service providers for additional assistance when necessary.

12. Use canine handling methods outlined in Handler Training.

13. Clean up after your canines.

14. Follow the Incident Command System and conduct yourself in a cooperative manner.

15. Work collaboratively with other AACR organizations to represent AACR and serve individuals in crisis.

As for canines, here are the expectations:

1.Respond reliably to handler commands.

2.Demonstrate an ability to perform tasks when requested.

3.Be able to turn their attention to their handler during distractions and allow the handler to redirect them when necessary.

4.Display healthy coping behaviors during stressful situations.

History:

Animal Assisted Crisis Response (AACR) and Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM)

Designed by: Andrea Hering, CCISM, CPDT-KA, C-AAIS and

John Hunt, CCISM, C-AAIS

Animal Assist Canine Academy & Crisis Response Canines

The use of animals for therapeutic purposes has been documented as early as ancient Greece, where dogs were associated with the god of medicine, Asklepios. The Greeks included structured interactions with canines as one type of healing modality and documented their experiences. In 18th century England, dogs were used alongside traditional psychiatric interventions, and Florence Nightingale wrote about the healing nature of small pets in 1860.

Today, animal-assisted interventions have become more widespread as practitioners recognize the beneficial role of animals in healing. Psychiatrists Sigmund Freud and Boris Levinson observed a distinct difference in their patients when their dogs were present during their sessions. During World War II, the Red Cross created an animalassisted intervention program for service members, leading to further investigation of this emerging field.

In modern times, animal-assisted interventions have been used to help individuals cope with traumatic events. In May 1998, the National Organization for Victim Assistance responded to a tragic shooting at a school in Springfield, Oregon, by deploying registered Pet Partner teams to comfort students. This led to the creation of the first Animal Assisted Crisis Therapy Dog Teams. In September 2001, Animal Assisted Crisis Therapy Dog teams were called to assist in New York City following the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. These teams received international recognition for their work in comforting survivors and helping first responders and workers relax and talk about their experiences.

During the response, handlers noticed that they could improve their crisis intervention and critical incident stress management skills and develop a better understanding of their dogs' signs of stress. The nature and severity of the disaster response were demanding for both the dogs and handlers, highlighting the necessity for improved support and training. This led to the development of Animal Assisted Crisis Response standards for Canine and Handler training.

Crisis Response Canines, Inc. (CRC) was established to address the need for an effective and safe Animal-Assisted Crisis Response (AACR) program focusing on First Responders and healthcare professionals. The organization has leveraged its vast

experience and knowledge from previous events to develop a program that is effective and mindful of the well-being of both the handler and the canine.

As a premier crisis canine team, CRC is known for its swift professional response, providing appropriate training for handlers and canines, and establishing vital communication with incident command. Over the years, CRC has been involved in many national and local successful interventions, which has led to the development of its proprietary intervention programs.

CRC maintains rigorous standards for canines and handlers participating in critical situation interventions. To ensure the highest level of training, CRC relies on ICISF Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) as the fundamental approach. CRC has successfully integrated CISM and AACR to develop a comprehensive program that incorporates canines into the crisis response framework while maintaining the intervention's integrity.

CRC is committed to developing meaningful partnerships with industry professionals, mental health practitioners, and the canine industry to promote ethical and safe interventions in the growing field of animal-assisted crisis response. CRC strives to promote the best practices and share knowledge to ensure safe and effective interventions for all parties involved.

Course Description:

This course aims to provide individuals with the fundamental principles and skills required for animal-assisted crisis response (AACR). Students will delve into various topics, such as assessing canines and handlers, training requirements for canines and handlers, selecting the right canine partner, establishing programs for facility dogs and crisis response dogs, fostering partnerships with crisis response organizations, and understanding essential training elements of AACR. These include self-care, comprehending disaster response phases, and outlining the AACR team's responsibilities during crisis scenarios. Finally, students will learn about the effective and appropriate utilization of canines in CISM interventions.

Goal;

By the end of this course, students will:

• Recognize different types of goal-oriented canine interventions.

• Comprehend the role of the AACR team in an event.

• Learn how to identify qualified canines and handlers for AACR.

• Grasp the training needs for AACR handlers and canines.

• Understand how to implement an AACR program

• Learn how to utilize a canine effectively during a Critical Incident Stress Debriefing/Defusing

Section

Defining Animal Assisted Interventions and Goal-Based Canines

AACR Handler and Canine Considerations, Assessments, and Training Requirements

Learning Objectives

• Students will be able to identify the different types of Animal Assisted Interventions

• Students will be able to differentiate the various roles of Goal-Based Canines.

• Students will gain knowledge of what qualities a prospective AACR handler should possess

• Students will gain an understanding of the AACR Handler trainings

• Students will understand the requirements an AACR handler should meet

• Students will understand what traits are necessary for a canine to be a successful Crisis Response Canine.

Considerations for Organizations engaged in AACR

National Standard Core Requirement Self-Care for Handlers

• Students will comprehend the criteria that organizations need to meet to take part in AACR.

• Students will understand the importance of establishing policies when partnering with an Animal Assisted Crisis Response organization to ensure safety and effectiveness.

• Students will learn to prioritize self-care in response to traumatic events.

• Students will distinguish between secondary trauma, burnout, and compassion fatigue.

Continue to page 4.

Canine Handling, Obedience and Task Training for AACR

Decompression and Resiliency for the Canine

How to use AACR teams during a defusing/debriefing

• Students will gain an understanding of why task training is effective

• Students will understand what traits are necessary for a canine to be a successful Crisis Response Canine.

• Students will learn about the commonly used tasks in AACR and the scientific principles that underlie these task

• Students will learn about the essential obedience skills required for a Crisis Canine

• Students will learn when it is appropriate to incorporate a canine into the ICISF SAFER Model

• Students will be able to identify the obedience skills necessary for canines to interact successfully during a CISD or Defusing.

• Students will learn about the vital role their canine partner may have in supporting a Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) or Defusing.

• *For students to successfully achieve an AACR certificate, students must have achieved an ICISF assisting individuals in crisis & group interventions certification.

Supporting the Frontline Heroes; the Role of CISM and Animal Assisted Therapy

By: John D. Hunt, MA, CCISM, Co-Founder and COO, Crisis Response Canines, & Mary Law, MSN, RN, CCISM, Crisis Response Canines Healthcare Liaison

There are likely few among us who would disagree that these past two years have been exceptionally challenging. Every sector of society has been affected, perhaps none more than our extraordinary frontline heroes.

COVID has only exacerbated preexisting mental health challenges, and created new societal dilemmas. There has been a dramatic down-shift in social support, increased isolation, rise in substance abuse, unrelenting stress and anxiety, as well as an unprecedented increase in violence and aggression aimed at frontline workers [1]. Never before has the need for Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) and Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) for these professionals been more urgent.

In this milieu, the impact the New Jersey-based, non-profit organization, Crisis Response Canines (CRC) has had through their interventions has been profound. The inspirational volunteers who comprise the membership of CRC have dedicated countless hours in providing CISM interventions and AAT to extraordinary frontline heroes.

CRC’s mission is to provide strength, comfort, and emotional support to individuals, families, communities, and first responders experiencing intense traumatic emotions in the aftermath of critical incidents.

Team members have a wide range of backgrounds including law enforcement, military, health care, and education. This highly experienced complement of team members affords for a broad range of peer to peer support in virtually any situation.

Canine handlers are required to participate in robust education and training to achieve and maintain certifications. They participate in FEMA’s National Incident Command Structure training, and learn the principles of Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM). Several members completed the CISM certification of knowledge exam offered through the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Deptartment of Emergency Health Services thru its Professional and Continuing Education Program (PACE). Other required certifications include Pet First Aid, CPR, and specific courses associated with healthcare, and behavioral health. ICISF is a significant source for robust reference materials.

CRC canines have extensive training and certifications including (not limited to): Alliance of Therapy Dogs, AKC Canine Good Citizen, AKC Canine Good Citizen Advanced, Canine Good Citizen Urban, Crisis Working Dog Certification, and Law Enforcement Defensive Systems Crisis Working Dog Certification.

The role of the Crisis Response Canine team is multifactorial. One is to deploy carefully selected and highly trained teams to scenes following traumatic events. In most cases, pre-incident relationships, established during routine visits to organizations enables the team to be contacted and quickly respond within hours of any traumatic event. CRC leadership has created a national network of contacts to support rapid deployments.

As a result of training in FEMA’s incident response operations, CRC members are easily able to integrate their operations and work within the defined incident command structures and coordinate with local, state, and national agencies, as well as local social support groups prior to and during deployments.

Over the past several years, CRC members have responded to a myriad of events including (but not limited to) shootings at PULSE Nightclub, The Las Vegas Harvest Festival, Sutherland Texas First Baptist Church, Pittsburgh Tree of Life Synagogue, and the El Paso Walmart shooting. Most recently, the CRC team deployed to the Surfside Florida Champlain Towers collapse and following a shooting at Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia.

By combining CISM interventions with AAT, the team is present onsite and able to effectively support not only the survivors and victims’ families, but also affected frontline workers. The quiet moments spent with the team provides an opportunity for comfort and decompression during unique bonding moments between humans and canines. Front line workers have indicated those interactions have provided them the strength to continue their duties.

The foundation of CRC has always been to provide ongoing support utilizing canine therapy. Through cultivated, longstanding affiliations with police, fire, EMS dispatch units, and military organizations as well as local communities, school districts, and healthcare organizations, teams regularly conduct rounds for therapy visits. CRC teams are a familiar presence at these locations and over time, become trusted partners. This established trust enables members to provide meaningful contacts with the canines, help workers build resilience, assess baselines, and if needed, better support effective interactions in the wake of a traumatic event.

“Distress is a type of stress to which the individual finds him or herself unable to adequately respond, to which response is unsustainable in the long term, and which results in impaired adaptation” [5]. Unfortunately, calls for acute intervention with frontline workers has amplified in the past several years. The ongoing pandemic has intensified the physical and psychological impacts of chronic stressors, threatening long-term well-being [2].

Within the healthcare setting, a high prevalence of burnout can lead to negative impacts or outcomes for workers, such as poor mental and physical health, increased absenteeism and turnover, and diminished job satisfaction. Negative effects can also include decreased healthcare quality and safety, such as more frequent medical errors, reduced empathy toward patients, and diminished patient [6]

This environment has created a greater need for crisis intervention and mental health support services [2]. The American Hospital Association notes “Concern about clinician well-being has been top of mind for years, but the pandemic has intensified stress and trauma and presented a unique opportunity to reframe core approaches to fostering a thriving workforce. More than ever, clinicians require compassionate, holistic support to ensure that they feel safe, valued and engaged” [3]. Frontline clinicians are especially at risk of long-term harm [4]

Traditional healthcare wellness initiatives that are passively offered to staff and providers have not achieved the desired results, and frontline clinicians often are unable or unwilling to get help when needed. Twenty percent said they thought they needed them but didn’t receive them, either because they were too busy, unable to get time off work, couldn’t afford them, or felt afraid or embarrassed.

Physicians have typically been reluctant to seek help, fearing that colleagues or employers will see them as weak or unfit to practice, or that it will jeopardize their licensure status. It is vital to reassure clinicians that it is not only normal, but expected and acceptable to feel overwhelmed at times and to seek help as needed. [3]

CRC members serve as advocates for CISM interventions to call those seeking help out of the shadows and dispelling the stigma of being seen as weak. Through their dedication to their mission to serve others, they have brought countless episodes of healing and moments of respite and

comfort to those impacted by traumatic or stressful experiences. Canines have the ability to open previously closed doors and allow for moments of decompression. CRC’s required, ongoing training only strengthens the team’s skill set and ability to effectively support successful interventions.

Innovative methods to support employees and providers includes Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT), which brings canines and handlers to those in the environment in which they work. The presence of the canines and handlers within healthcare facilities has proven to improve well-being [7]. Welldesigned and managed programs present an opportunity for the staff to take a few moments to experience a therapeutic interchange, as well as assess staff who may be struggling and identify the need to refer for further interactions.

The CRC team’s collective experience with helping first responders, healthcare, and other professionals cope with the psychological stresses inherent in their professions make them uniquely qualified, deeply respected, relatable, and therefore trusted.

The mere presence of the dogs is truly transformational. While the canines therapeutically engage, the team assesses any need for further referrals for intervention.

A typical episode of CRC team rounding includes pre-planning to identify the location, complement of staff and providers, and to ascertain if any recent events have occurred that may have implications for the visit. The CRC team is then carefully selected to ensure the members and canines are well-matched for the interaction. Organizational leadership is informed in advance so personnel expect the visits.

The CRC team meets on site to review the plan for the rounding. Members then travel to assigned locations to interact with staff They spend time on the designated units and departments for an average of two hours. Visits to all staff occurs on all shifts and is always very much appreciated by the staff. The visits tend to unfold organically as the canines’ presence is welcomed by the team, and conversations between CRC members allow for assessments of current psyche, hearing concerns, or recognizing events to be celebrated. The team regroups following rounding and conducts a debrief to identify follow-up actions as needed.

The calls for CISM sessions have continued to increase in the past several years, and it has been the experience of CRC that AAT can be an effective part of preventive programs for healthcare professionals who may be exposed to significant stress daily, by helping create strategies to reduce it. [6] The effect of Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) on reducing depressive symptoms has been noted. [8]

In these challenging times, CRC and similar organizations are relied upon even more to be that consistent and trusted presence. Their humble dedication to their mission to serve the nation and their community, results in countless episodes of healing to those impacted by traumatic or stressful experiences.

References:

1. Panchal, Kamal, Cox, Garfield (2021, Feb 10). The Implications of COVID-19 for Mental Health and Substance Use. Kaiser Family Foundation. https://www.kff.org/coronaviruscovid-19/issue-brief/the-implications-of-covid-19-for-mental-health-and-substance-use/

2. Hall, Heather MBA, MA, MPAS, PA-C The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare workers’ mental health, Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants: July 2020 – Volume 33 – Issue 7 – p 45-48 doi: 10.1097/01.JAA.0000669772.78848.8c

3. American Hospital Association. (2021). 2022 Health Care Talent Scan. AHA

4. Madara, James, et al. “Clinicians and Professional Societies COVID-19 Impact Assessment: Lessons Learned and Compelling Needs,” National Academy of Medicine,

May17, 2021. https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/health-care/physiciansurvey.html

5. Kolt G., Matheny J., Le Fevre M. Eustress, distress and their interpretation in primary and secondary occupational stress management interventions: Which way first? J. Manag. Psychol. 2006;21:547–565.

6. Etingen, B., Martinez, R.N., Smith, B.M. et al. Developing an animal-assisted support program for healthcare employees. BMC Health Serv Res 20, 714 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-020-05586-8

7. Machová, K., Součková, M., Procházková, R., Vaníčková, Z., & Mezian, K. (2019). Canine-Assisted Therapy Improves Well-Being in Nurses. International journal of environmental research and public health, 16(19), 3670. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16193670

8. Souter M.A., Miller M.D., Megan A. Souter Department of Psychology Northern Arizona University USA, Michelle D. Miller Department of Psychology Northern Arizona University USACorrespondenceMichelle.Millernau.edu Do Animal-Assisted Activities Effectively Treat Depression? A Meta-Analysis. Anthrozoös. 2007;20:167–180. doi: 10.2752/175303707X207954.

Animal Assisted Interventions- A Brief Guide

John D. Hunt, MA, CCISM, Co-Founder and COO Crisis Response Canines

Andrea Hering, Co-Founder and President, Crisis Response Canines

There is an unmistakable bond that exists between humans and canines. These captivating creatures become members of our families, sharing in our moments of joy and giving us comfort in times of sorrow. It is estimated in the United States, over 48 million households (38%) own dogs [1]. Some dogs are additionally trained to serve in roles as vital companions performing needed services, or to provide therapeutic interventions. A select very few progress to receive advanced training and elite certifications in order to skillfully and effectively interact following traumatic events. In these situations, they offer respite, provide moments of comfort and healing, and help to build resilience This article serves to provide information on the various types of animal assisted interventions (AAI), and offer examples of appropriate scenarios for each

Some of the earliest recorded history of utilizing domesticated animals for therapeutic purposes is attributed to the ancient Greeks. During the period of 900-800 B.C., Grecians associated dogs with Asklepios, the god of medicine. They included structured interactions with canines as one type of healing modality and chronicled their experiences. In 18th century England, dogs were used as an adjunct to traditional psychiatric interventions, and in 1860 Florence Nightingale wrote of the healing nature of small pets to improve health and reduce anxiety [2].

In modern times, the use of pets became more widespread as practitioners correlated the use of animals and their beneficial role in healing. Psychiatrists Sigmund Freud and Boris Levinson noted a distinct difference in their patients when their dogs were present during their sessions. During WWII, the Red Cross created a program of animal assisted intervention for service members in the Army Air Force Convalescent Center in Pawling, New York. The results indicated the need for further investigation and study into this emerging field.

In the 1980’s, as the popularity of AAI programs grew, it became clear criteria was needed to delineate the differences between various AAI programs Having these distinctions aids in not only bringing clarity to the public to better understand the progressive nature of training and certifications of the dogs and their handlers, it also establishes guidelines for suitable situations for application of each.

As the rate of adoption of AAI increases so does the research being conducted to measure the effects of the interventions. Both qualitative and quantitative studies have demonstrated the distinct correlation between human and animal interactions and the associated positive physiological and psychological impacts

CRC Canine Tarik at Highland Park, Illinois

The mere presence of a dog can reduce feelings of social isolation, loneliness, depression or anxiety and generally improve one’s self reported quality of life. Levels of negative stress hormones such as epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol have been observed to be lower and the levels of the positive mood regulating hormones oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine higher following interactions with canines [3].

Animal Assisted Interventions (AAI) is a broad term commonly used to describe the utilization of various species of animals in diverse manners beneficial to humans. Animal assisted therapy, education, and activities are examples of types of animal assisted intervention [10]. AAI can occur in various settings such as health care facilities, educational institutions, businesses or places of worship

Animal Assisted Activities (AAA) denotes non-professional volunteers who engage with their certified therapy dog in informal social contacts with others. These are typically pre-planned predictable events, such as a reading program Their presence is usually welcomed at the short meet and greets, and there are no goals established as related to a particular desired outcome.

Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) consists of a goal directed activity provided by an animal handler team that seeks to enhance the quality of life for humans [11]. The environments are predictable, the visits structured and lasting approximately one hour. Examples include: reading programs in schools, visits to special education students, routine visits to hospitals or nursing homes, or attendance at pre-planned events.

To conduct AAT & AAA sessions, canines and handlers require only minimal training from a certifying organization. The handlers hail from all walks of life, and require no specialized degrees or advanced certifications. This relatively simple criteria makes it a popular pastime for owners and their pets to volunteer within their local communities.

The category of AAT can also be used to describe goal directed intervention in which an animal meeting specific criteria is an integral part of the treatment process. This type of AAT is delivered and/or directed by health or human service providers working within the scope of their profession. Animal-assisted therapy is designed to promote improvement in human physical, social, emotional, or cognitive function. Animalassisted therapy is provided in a variety of settings and may be group or individual in nature [10]. Measurable goals are established to provide evidence of the impact of the interventions.

Animal Assisted Crisis Response (AACR) employs highly trained and certified teams of canines and handlers who provide comfort, stress relief, emotional support and crisis intervention services for people affected by crisis and disasters in complex, unpredictable environments surrounding traumatic events [9]. The handlers are expected to undergo training in trauma response, psychological first aid and suicide prevention. This level of professionalism and experience truly sets this category of animal interaction apart from other categories of AAI.

AACR differs from AAT in that it specifically is intended to be used for who are experiencing intense emotions after traumatic events. Teams are trained to not only interact and support those affected by crisis, but to also integrate with other emergency response teams who respond to the event. Some have likened these highly trained canines as the PhDs of therapy dogs as they are extensively evaluated and trained.

AACR dog and handler teams prepare to operate in unpredictable, possibly chaotic environments, likely fraught with intense emotions. The AACR organization typically commits to always being on call and responds on demand without prior notice Often, through pre-incident cultivation of relationships and alliances with first responders and other agencies they can create a familiarity with procedures and personal that can be leveraged following an incident to more effectively respond to events

AACR teams deploy in response various crises/disasters. Examples include line of duty death, suicides, traumatic accidents, natural or manmade disasters, or mass shootings Deployments are generally longer in length consisting of hours or days. Transportation can be more complex involving automobiles, planes, trains, buses, or even boats. As such the extensive training requires exposure to all of these types of environments.

A Critical Incident is defined as an unusually challenging event that has the potential to create significant human distress and interfere with one’s usual coping mechanisms [4]. Following a critical incident, there is an opportunity to provide crisis intervention, a temporary but active and supportive entry into the life of individuals or group during a period of extreme distress [4]. This can be accomplished by applying the principles of Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM).

CISM is a comprehensive, integrative, multicomponent crisis intervention system. Developed in the 1980s by Drs. Jeffrey T. Mitchell and George S. Everly, Jr., the intent of the model is to lessen the impact of the critical incident, normalize instinctive reactions to the incident, encourage the natural recovery process, restore the adaptive functioning skills of the person and/or group, and determine the need for further supportive services or therapy [4].

Mitchell and Everly continued their research and application of the CISM model, and in 1991 founded the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF). By 1997, Mitchell and Everly fully integrated their crisis intervention techniques into the comprehensive CISM system. CISM is now becoming a “standard of care” in many schools, communities, and organizations well outside the field of emergency services [5].

CISM can be applied to a myriad of critical incidents. Examples include: death, or risk of death, line of duty death, active shooter incidents, manmade of natural disasters, and

CRC Canines Axel and Lincoln bring comfort to a healthcare team

traumatic accidents. The positive impact of CISM programs on building resilience and promotion of healing has been empirically validated [6].

Taken individually, the distinct programs of CISM and AACR each demonstrate positive impacts. Combining these interventions harnesses the powerful synergy of both, thereby providing an innovative approach that has been broadly accepted when put into practice.

Studies conducted on the impact of therapeutic interventions with people in crisis and found “AACR dogs have an innate ability to find the people in crisis who appear to need the most support”. Those with proper advanced skills, training, and certifications can implement AACR work safely and effectively [7].

One organization that has successfully developed a combined model of CISM and AACR is Crisis Response Canines (CRC). CRC is a New Jersey based non-profit organization whose volunteer members provide a comprehensive array of services nationally. Teams are based in all quadrants of the United States and participate locally in AAT and nationally in AACR CRC’s mission is to provide strength, comfort, and emotional support to individuals, families, communities, and first responders experiencing traumatic emotions in the aftermath of critical incidents. Members devote thousands of collective hours each year in education, training, and services to their communities.

CRC Handlers and Canines teams are certified to assist with the complex emotions associated with arousal disorder. [Hyperarousal is a primary symptom of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It occurs when a person’s body suddenly kicks into high alert as a result of thinking about their trauma. Even though real danger may not be present, their body acts as if it is, causing lasting stress after a traumatic event.] The CRC Handlers and Canines have specific training to be able to provide post incident stress support linked to line of duty deaths, suicides, natural disasters, and mass shootings. A distinct focus of CRC is to provide trauma incident reduction therapy[TIR is a rapid (compared to traditional therapy) method of effectively reducing traumatic stress from emotionally and/or physically painful events in the past. It involves re-experiencing past traumas in a completely safe environment, free of distractions, judgments, or interpretations] to First Responders, Healthcare Workers, and school staff.

To become a member of Crisis Response Canines, both the handler and canine must complete a rigorous myriad of training curriculum and be certified by both CRC and independent nationally recognized trainers.

CRC dogs must demonstrate outstanding obedience skills. The canines must demonstrate exceptional control while being fully controllable and predicable. The canines are tested to ensure they can handle stressful situations and environments. CRC canines must maintain flawless control around other animals. The dogs must be prepared to interact with countless strangers who will be interacting with them during their details.

Some of the certifications that the CRC Canine must achieve include but are not limited to: National Therapy Dog Certification, CRC certification, AKC Canine Good Citizen, Canine Good Citizen Advanced, Canine Good Citizen Urban, Law Enforcement Defense Systems K9 Certification. CRC Handlers undergo detailed background checks prior to entering the orientation phase of the CRC membership. CRC Handlers must then successfully enroll and achieve certification in at least six predetermined FEMA Independent Study Incident Command Courses. Additional courses are required for designated deployment teams. Handlers must also achieve certification in ICISF’s Critical Incident Stress Management, Psychological First Aid, Canine Body Language, Human First Aid and CPR, Canine First Aid and CPR. Because of this considerable training expectation, there are few organizations that offer this specialized level of expertise These stringent requirements truly are a differentiator for CRC.

CRC has two team levels: CRC Comfort and CRC Operational Deployment. CRC Comfort Teams serve as the foundation for visits to hospitals, schools, businesses, speaking events. The CRC Operational Deployment teams have the capability to respond to National Crisis Events. Teams receive the training and certifications commensurate with the role expectations and in addition, several members have achieved CISM certification through the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF) program with the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Currently, the organization has three members who have achieved ICISF Instructor status.

CRC Operational Deployment teams are unique in that not only does the handler have training to manage the complex human emotions, the K9's on the deployment team have task training certification similar to service animals.

Service animals receive training specific to an individual to assist a person with a particular disability such as protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair or retrieving items, seizure trained to alert or otherwise help a person with seizure disorders, a guide dog or a service animal.

CRC Working Service Animals are trained to identify human body language to recognize an individual displaying common stress signals. If appropriate, the K9's can perform task on instinct or verbal cue from the handler. Some of the tasks the K9's have been trained are barrier blocking, tactile distraction, deep pressure therapy. For example, when Deep Pressure Therapy (DPT) is being utilized the pressure on the body, it begins to run its parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS), replacing the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). This change is known as a switch from “fight or flight” to “rest and digest”.

One of the biggest differences between a specifically trained service animal and a CRC Working Service Animal is that the CRC canines must be able to work with many individuals as opposed to one singular individual. These canines are specially trained

Axel in Uvalde Texas May 2022

to directly support skillfully trained handlers in providing trauma incident stress reduction. There are many exceptional therapy dog organizations who provide much needed temporary therapy relief. It is the mission of CRC to provide post incident stress support thus aiding with the recovery process for those impacted by distressing and shocking events or those countering the effects of cumulative events.

Members of the CRC teams have a wide range of backgrounds including law enforcement, military, health care, and education. This highly experienced cohort of team members affords for a broad range of peer-to-peer support in virtually any situation. Their collective experience with helping first responders, healthcare, and other professionals cope with the psychological stresses so prevalent in their professions make them uniquely qualified, and relatable. Their consistent presence and visits in their communities allows them to establish baselines and readily recognize when someone may need a quiet moment with the dogs, or a referral for further assistance.

CRC Teams have responded to and interacted with countless first responders in the aftermath of tragic events. Additionally, CRC teams have deployed nationally to a myriad of events including, but not limited to, shootings at Pulse Nightclub, The Las Vegas Harvest Festival, Sutherland Texas First Baptist Church, Pittsburgh Tree of Life Synagogue, and the El Paso Walmart. Most recently, the CRC team deployed to the Surfside Florida Champlain Towers collapse, a post shooting event at Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia, the shooting at Oxford High School in Michigan, and to Baltimore Maryland following the tragic loss of three firefighters a deployment to Virginia in support those impacted by the shooting death of two police officers at Bridgewater College, and to Uvalde Texas following the Robb Elementary School massacre to provide comfort to a devastated community

As positive outcomes associated with CRC team interactions and interventions have become more widely known, calls for AAT, and AACR continue to increase and CRC members will continue their selfless dedication to their communities

CRC can be contacted by phone: 856-336-0030, email: info@crisiscanines.org, website: https://www.crisiscanines.org/

References:

1. American Veterinarian Medical Association. (2022). U.S pet owner statistics. https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/reports-statistics/us-pet-ownershipstatistics

CRC Canine Macy at Pulse Nightclub Memorial

2. Halm, M. (2008). The healing power of the human animal connection. American Journal of Critical Care. (4): 373–376. https://doi.org/10.4037/ajcc2008.17.4.373

3. Beetz, A., Uvnäs-Moberg, K., Julius, H., & Kotrschal, K. (2012). Psychosocial and psychophysiological effects of human-animal interactions: the possible role of oxytocin. Frontiers in Psychology, 3, 234. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2012.00234

4. International Critical Incident Stress Foundation. (2022). Crisis Intervention Definition. https://icisf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Crisis-InterventionDefinition.pdf

5. Everly, G.S. & Mitchell, J.T. (1997). Critical incident stress management (CISM):A new era and standard of care in crisis intervention. Chevron.

6. Everly, G.S. & Boyle, S. (1997). CISD: A meta-analysis. [Paper presentation]. 4th World Congress on Stress, Trauma, and Coping in the Emergency Services Professions. Baltimore, MD. https://www.nmhealth.org/publication/view/general/1951

7. Bua, F. (2013). A qualitative investigation into dogs serving on animal assisted crisis response (AACR) teams: Advances in crisis counseling [Doctoral dissertation, Latrobe University].

http://arrow.latrobe.edu.au:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/latrobe:35600

8. Greenbaum, S. (2006). Introduction to working with animal assisted crisis response animal handler teams. International Journal of Emergency Mental Health, 8(1), 49-63

9. National Standards Committee for Animal-Assisted Crisis Response. (2010). AnimalAssisted Crisis Response National Standards. Retrieved from http://hopeaacr.org/ wpcontent/uploads/2010/03/AACRNationalStandards7Mar10.pdf

10. American Veterinarian Medical Association. (2022). Animal-assisted interventions: Definitions. https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/avmapolicies/animal-assisted-interventions-definitions

11. Gammonley, J., Howie,A., Kirwin,S., Zapf,S., Frye,J., Freeman,G. & StuartRussell, R. (1997). Animal-Assisted Therapy. Therapeutic Interventions. Renton, WA: Delta Society.

CISM & CANINES: THE BOND THAT HELPS HEAL FIRST RESPONDERS

John D. Hunt, MA, CCISM

Co-Founder and Chief Operations Officer for theCrisis ResponseCanines. jhuntbgo@comcast.net 609-464-3709.

Crisis ResponseCanines

Mercury CIRT

Abstract: First responders are subjected to ongoing job-related stressors that can have negative impacts on physical and mental health. This article explores how Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM), and Animal Assisted Crisis Response (AACR) can be combined to synergisticallyamelioratethoseimpacts.ThemodelsofCISMandAACRwillbereviewedandan example of how a New Jersey Based AACR team works independently and in conjunction with a CriticalIncidentResponseTeam todeploythe effectivetechniques

Keywords: crisiscanines,firstresponders,job-relatedstressors,criticalincidentstress management

INTRODUCTION

On average, in the United States, there are approximately 240 million annual calls to 91-1 (NENA, 2022). When those calls are made, heroes respond. These dedicated first responders police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, dispatchers, andparamedics areindividualswhodevote their lives to the service of others in their communities. Theydososelflessly,knowing the potential risks and, all too often, the devastating consequences inherent in their profession.

In their roles, these first responders encounter multiple stressors daily. Contributing factors include shift work, long hours, the unpredictability of the calls, continualoccupationalcontactwithhigh-risk and stressful situations, and frequent exposure to traumatic events. As a result, approximately 30 percent of first responders develop behavioral health conditions (SAMHSA, 2018). These chronic and significant job-related stressors and exposuresoftenmanifestinincreasedriskfor

mental health morbidities, including depression, substance abuse, suicidal thoughts

K-9 Alma with NY Port Authority Police 9-11 Anniversary Memorial Event.

CISM & CANINES: THE BOND THAT HELPS HEAL FIRST RESPONDERS

and behaviors, and hastened mortality (e.g., death by suicide) (Stanley et al., 2016). First responders often relate how seemingly ordinary images, sounds, or smells bring horrific events crashing back into their consciousness, often with crippling results (Ebersole, 2019).

First responders are often viewed in the context of a “hero culture” where they are commendedforenduringphysicalinjurybut, within the culture, are shamed for displaying mental weakness in handling the things they see(Ebersole,2019).This canexacerbatethe issues associated with their occupational stress and create resistance to seeking support. Unfortunately, these heroes face a scarcityoftailored mentalhealthsupportand specialized resources for effectively coping withcumulativestressorfollowingtraumatic events (Lanzaet al , 2018).

Veteran first responders can appreciate that a unique bond, a camaraderie, exists among professionals in their fields. This bond, and the trust that comes with it, can serve as a foundation to successfully introduce Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM). In turn, CISM can be combined with Animal Assisted Crisis

Response (AACR) interventions to bring a therapeutic, compassionate, and healing presence that instills resilience in those affectedbytraumaticevents.Thisarticlewill present the lessons learned from firsthand experiences in combining CISM/AARC, exploreevidencetosupportthesetherapeutic interventions, and share how first responders can access these resources to gain their extraordinary benefits.

Critical incidents, as related to first responders,aredefinedas“anyeventthathas a stressful impact sufficient enough to overwhelmtheusuallyeffectivecopingskills of an individual” (Kulbarsh, 2007). CISM protocol allows first responders who have been involved in a critical incident to share their experiences, vent their emotions, learn about stress reactions and symptoms, and obtain areferralfor further help if required

CRC K9’s responded to Baltimore Maryland to support Fire Fighters who lost three of their own during a row home fire in downtown Baltimore. January 2022

CISM & CANINES: THE BOND THAT HELPS HEAL FIRST RESPONDERS

CISM is a comprehensive, integrative, multicomponent crisis intervention system with a longstanding history of effective interactions with individuals and groups in the aftermath of a critical incident. These interventionsrangefromthepre-crisisphase, through acute crisis, and into the post-crisis phase. Interventions may be applied to individuals, small functional groups, large groups, families, organizations, and even communities (Everly &Mitchell, 1997). The positive impact of CISM programs on building resilience and promotion of healing has been empirically validated (Everly & Boyle, 1997).

There are six core factors to CISM: preevent strategic planning/preparation; surveillanceassessment;triage;individualcrisis intervention, including psychological first aid; informational crisis intervention groups; interactive crisis intervention groups; and fostering resilience in individuals, groups, organizations, and communities (Everly & Mitchell, 1999). Studies on the effectiveness of CISM conclude that post-disaster crisis interventions yielded positive outcomes for up to two years in the form of reduced depression, reduced alcohol dependence, reduced PTSD severity, and reduced anxiety (Boscarino, et al., 2006).

Animal Assisted Crisis Response (AACR) is “the utilization of certified canine-and-handler teams assisting in crisis interventions to support the psychological and physiological needs of individuals affected by, and responding to, crises and disasters in complex, unpredictable environments. These interventions provide needed respite during periods of un-

Author John Hunt & K-9 Gunther providing comfort to 2 young children impacted by the shooting event in Virginia Beach May 2019.

Ty with our great friends at Gloucester Twp. police

CRC’s Exon during a special moment with a member of Bridgewater PD.

CISM & CANINES: THE BOND THAT HELPS HEAL FIRST RESPONDERS

imaginable turmoil” (Tedeschi & Jenkins, 2019). Following traumatic events, there is a natural defense mechanism to withdraw and isolate,butthereisampleevidencetosupport the strategy of implementing AARC interactions.

In the second edition of her book on animal assisted therapy, Dr. Cynthia Chandler details a unique phenomenon that occurs during a crisis response. Dogs and handlers can establish a collective rapport that helps individuals in the immediate aftermath of an event, creating a sense of safety and support through their presence. They also promote security, comfort, and stability, thus re-grounding individuals back to reality and fostering resiliency in individuals who have experienced a critical incident(Chandler, 2012).

Extensive research has been conducted on the psychological and physiological impact canines have on first responders who have experienced traumatic events. The interaction between humans and canines prompts neurochemical releases, such as oxytocin, in the circulatory system and brain (Bau, 2013). Oxytocin buffers the stress response and cortisol secretion (stress hormone) and is also involved in emotion, trust, and bonding (Gee et al, 2021). This neurochemical effect enhances the positive interaction between the canine intervention teamandthefirstresponderswithwhomthey interact.

Lessons drawn from previous experience reveal that for those on the frontlines of healthcare, traditional crisis response resources offered only passively (such as handing out a list of options) have not achieved the desired results, as those most in need of them are often unable or unwilling to seek help when needed (Hunt & Law, 2021). A similar pattern is seen within the first responder community. Coupling CISM and AACR interventions can support the well-being for not only frontline healthcare workers, but first responders as well.

FilomeniaBaufromLaTrobeUniversity studied the impact of therapeutic

CRC K-9’s responded to Bridgewater College in Bridgewater Virginia to support those impacted by the shooting which killed two police officers. Here are the canines with Bridgewater police and at the Bridgewater Campus police headquarters.

CISM & CANINES: THE BOND THAT HELPS HEAL FIRST RESPONDERS

interventions on people in crisis and found they “believed that AACR dogs have an innate ability to find the people in crisis who appeartoneedthemostsupport.” Thosewith proper advanced skills, training, and certifications can implement AACR work safely and effectively (Bau, 2013).

Taken individually, the distinct programs of CISM and AARC each demonstrate positive impacts. Combining these interventions harnesses the powerful synergy of both, thereby providing an innovative approach that has been broadly accepted when put into practice. When these resources are actively brought together, they are much more likely to be and have been, accepted by thefirstresponder community.

During a deployment to Surfside, Florida, in the aftermath of the June 2021 condominium collapse that claimed 98 lives, members of the Israeli search and rescue team would meet with the New Jersey-based Crisis Response Canines (CRC) team and find moments of respite and relief. One rescuer shared- “The interaction with your dog is exactly what I needed to be able to returntoworkonthepile.”Theteamalsomet daily with families atthereunification siteas loved ones awaited word on the status of the missing.

Research in the field of CISM and AARC interventions is a testament to the ability of animals, particularly dogs, to serve as catalysts or facilitators in creating “affiliation[s] and relations in social interactions” (Guéguen & Ciccotti, 2008). With the sense of safety that a canine presence provides, the AARC team can advocate for CISM interventions to call thosefirstresponders needing help outof the shadows and dispelany stigma of being seen as weak. Canines genuinely serve as the bridge between post-critical incident isolation and the connection to trained interventionists and the help that CISM can

provide.

On June12, 2016,forty-ninepeoplelost their lives, and fifty-three were wounded following a shooting at the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida. The first responder community was deeply affected. The CRC team provided therapeutic interventions to police, fire, and EMS personnel who responded to this event.

Additionally, authorities on site requested that CRC members meet directly with healthcare workers and others who aidedthosedirectlyimpactedbytheshooting event.Itwasfirstrespondersthemselveswho directed CRC members to meet with family andfriendsatanestablishedmemorial.Itwas at this memorial that CRC members truly comprehended the significance of Animal Assisted Therapy and vowed to redouble their efforts to bring these opportunities to others affected by tragedies.

The presence of canines serves as reassurance that there is a non-judgmental companionwhodoesn’taskquestions,hasno expectations, but rather is just there to provide a moment of respite and comfort.

Axel with Urban Search & Rescue Israeli Team adjacent to collapsed tower, Surfside, FL.

CISM & CANINES: THE BOND THAT HELPS HEAL FIRST RESPONDERS

Often, affected individuals feel safe to lower their defenses and allow handlers to introduce CISM interventions and provide psychologicalfirstaid.

Oneexampleofthiscanbeseenafterthe August 2019 El Paso Walmart shooting. Some of the families of victims were

undocumented individuals from Mexico. Because of their fear of stepping forward, theywerereluctanttoapproach teamsfor the comfort and healing moments they so deserved and needed. The presence of the Crisis Response Canines soon dissolved that fear as they realized they were safe and securewith these compassionate canines and handlers. Investigators of the event asked CRC members to join them at the Victim Advocacy Center to continue to allay the fearsofindividualswhosefamily andfriends were victims of the shooting. One of the agentsinchargespoketotheCRCteamatthe eventandnotedhowthestrongbondbetween animals and humans was able to overcome barriersandincreasetherapeuticinteractions.

The significance of Canine Assisted Therapy was evident in the wake of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Members of Operation L.E.A.D. (Louisiana Emergency Assistance Deployment) from New Jersey were collaborating with members of the Red Cross during several operations in New Orleans and surrounding parishes. Those in the area were devastated by the destruction from the hurricane, and many were reluctant to interact with emergency personnel. The L.E.A.D. team observed therapy dogs at one location engaging with survivors from the storm, and these encounters were extremely positive. As noted by others who were witnesses to these encounters, it was only then that those impacted by Katrina began to open up to responders. Additionally, team members observed firsthand the canine’s positive effects on first responders. If but for a moment, the canine-human encounters provided the decompression so desperately needed by theemergency services.

An example of two organizations that havesuccessfullypartneredtointroducetheir combined model of CISM and AARC is the aforementioned Crisis Response Canines (CRC) and the Mercury Critical Incident

K-9’s Gunther and Ty with police officers after El Paso shooting event August 2019.

Gunther was asked to provide comfort to a young girl who was directly impacted by the El Paso shooting event, August 2019.

CISM & CANINES: THE BOND THAT HELPS HEAL FIRST RESPONDERS

ResponseTeams (Mercury CIRT).

Mercury CIRT was established to provide a form of crisis intervention specifically designed to help emergency workers,correctionalofficers,andhealthcare professionals cope with the psychological stresses inherent in their professions. Operational since 1984, the Mercury CIRT Team provides critical incident stress management intervention for particularly stressful events such as multiple casualty incidents, the death of a child, the death of a co-worker, traumatic incidents involving critical media coverage, failure of rescue efforts following a prolonged intervention, and other events that are unusually emotionally stressful. On-duty team coordinators receive and screen requests for services. When the need for a CISM intervention is determined, the team coordinator contacts one or more team members as needed for the requested intervention. The request is reviewed, the appropriate complement of a team dispatched, and interventions targeted to the need athand.

victims (and families) they are helping. CRC’s mission is to provide strength, comfort, and emotional support to individuals, families, communities, and first responders experiencing traumatic emotions intheaftermathofcriticalincidents.CRChas two team levels: CRC Comfort and CRC Operational Deployment. CRC Comfort Teams serve as the foundation for our visits to hospitals, schools, businesses, speaking events, and other similar opportunities. The CRC Operational Deployment teams have the capability to respond to National Crisis Events.

CRC is a non-profit organization whose members provide CISM interventions and AARC to frontline responders and the

CRC canines and handlers are highly trained with extensive experience interacting successfully with first responders on deployments. The canines’ certifications include Alliance of Therapy Dogs, AKC Canine Good Citizen, AKC Canine Good Citizen Advanced, Canine Good Citizen Urban, Crisis Working Dog Certification, Law Enforcement Defensive Systems Crisis Working Dog Certification. Handlers train continually, including FEMA’s National Incident Command Structure training, and learntheprinciplesofCriticalIncidentStress Management (CISM). In addition, several members have achieved CISM certification through the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF) program with the University of Maryland, BaltimoreCounty. MembersoftheMercuryCIRTandCRC teams have a wide range of backgrounds, including law enforcement, military, health care, and education. This highly experienced cohort of team members affords for a broad rangeof peer-to-peer supportin virtually any situation. Their collective experience with helpingfirstresponders,healthcare,andother professionals cope with the psychological stresses so prevalent in their professions makethemuniquely qualified, and relatable. Mercury CIRT and CRC have collaborated on several debriefings, and

K-9’s Kona & Tarik with police after Champlain Tower Collapse in Surfside Florida. June 202

CISM & CANINES: THE BOND THAT HELPS HEAL FIRST RESPONDERS

interactions are always strictly confidential. The positive impact of canine inclusion has been observed on multiple occasions involving a broad range of traumatic events. Members observed one such encounter with an emotional individual whom a traumatic incident deeply impacted. When the CRC canine sat in front of the person and was simply present with them, they visibly calmed almost immediately, and could recount the event to the CISD coordinator while engaging with the dog. Similar encounters have occurred with first responders during deployments (including several with the same department). It is not uncommon for participants to ask for and greet a familiar canine before even acknowledging the CISD coordinator. Handlers are reassured by moments like this and take them as a testament to the value of the partnership developed between Mercury CIRTand CRC members.

CRC Teams have responded to and interacted with countless first responders in the aftermath of tragic events. Additionally, CRC teams have deployed nationally to a myriadofevents,includingbutnotlimitedto shootings atPulseNightclub, The Las Vegas Harvest Festival, Sutherland Texas First Baptist Church, Pittsburgh Tree of Life Synagogue, and the El Paso Walmart. The CRCteamwas mostrecentlydeployedto the SurfsideFloridaChamplainTowerscollapse, apost-shootingeventatJeffersonHospitalin Philadelphia, the shooting at Oxford High School in Michigan, and Baltimore, Maryland, following the tragic loss of three firefighters. As this article is being written, CRC Teams have just returned from a deployment to Virginia in support of those impacted by theshooting death of two police officers atBridgewater College.

As positive outcomes associated with team interactions and interventions have become more widely known, calls for CISM

and Canine Assisted Therapy sessions continue to increase. As observed by many experienced Mercury CIRT and CRC team members,thesecanbepowerfulandeffective interventions in supportof the community of firstresponders.

CRC can becontacted by phone: 856-336-0030, email:info@crisiscanines.org, Website:https://www.crisiscanines.org/

Mercury CIRT can be contacted by phone: 856-589-0911 website:www.mercurycism.org

REFERENCES

Boscarino, J. A.,Adams, R. E., Foa, E. B., & Landrigan, P. J. (2006). A propensity score analysis of brief worksite crisis interventions after the World Trade Center disaster: Implications for intervention and research. Medicalcare, 44(5), 454–462. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.mlr.0000207 435.10138.36

Bua, F. (2013). A qualitative investigation into dogs serving on animal assisted crisisresponse(AACR)teams:Advances in crisis counseling [Doctoral disssertation, LatrobeUniversity]. http://arrow.latrobe.edu.au:8080/vital/acc ess/manager/Repository/latrobe:35600

Chandler, C. K. (2012). Animal assisted therapy in counseling (2nd ed.). Routledge Taylor &Francis Group. Ebersole,R.(2019).Firstrespondersstruggle with PTSD caused by the emergencies, deaths, tragedies they face every day. WashingtonPost. https://www.washingtonpost.com/healt h/first-responders-struggle-with-ptsdcaused-by-the-emergencies-deathstragedies-they-face-everyday/2019/10/25/9c4c9a0e-d4b8-11e99610-

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fb56c5522e1c_story.html?fbclid=IwAR 2CwRR47eO0ptE9ytuojK8jzz9LAM7GMZLu7vrAA8hGF7T6fQXUzJ4TX

Q

Everly, G. S., Jr., & Boyle, S. H. (1999). Critical incident stress debriefing (CISD): A meta-analysis. International Journal of Emergency Mental Health, 1(3), 165–168.

Everly G. S., Jr., & Mitchell J. T. (1999). Critical incident stress management, (2nd ed.). Chevron.

Gee, N. R., Rodriguez, K. E., Fine, A. H., & Trammell,J.P.(2021).Dogssupporting human health and well-being: A biopsychosocial approach. Frontiers in VeterinaryScience. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.6304 65

Guéguen,N.,&Ciccotti,S.(2008).Domestic dogs as facilitators in social interaction: An evaluation of helping and courtship behaviors. Anthrozoös, 21(4), 339-349 https://doi.org/10.2752/175303708X37 1564

Hunt, J. & Law, M. (2021) Supporting the frontline heroes: The role of CISM and animal assisted therapy. International CriticalIncidentStressFoundation,Inc. https://icisf.org/supporting-thefrontline-heroes-the-role-of-cism-andanimal-assisted-%20therapy/ Kulbarsh, P. (2007). Critical Incident Stress. Officer.com http://www.officer.com/article/1024938

5/critical-incident-stress

Lanza, A., Roysircar, G., & Rodgers, S. (2018). First responder mental healthcare: Evidence-based prevention, postvention,andtreatment. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice. 49(3), 193-204 https://doi.org/10.1037/pro0000192

National Emergency Number Association (NENA). (2022) 9-1-1 statistics. [Data set].

https://www.nena.org/page/911Statistics

Stanley, I. H., Hom, M. A., & Joiner, T. E. (2016). A systematicreview of suicidal thoughts and behaviors among police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics. Clinical Psychology Review.44, 25-44 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2015.12.0 02

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (2018). Disaster technical assistance center supplemental research bulletin. First responders: behavioral health concerns, emergency response, and trauma.

https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/f iles/dtac/supplementalresearchbulletinfirstresponders-may2018.pdf.

Tedeschi, P. & Jenkins, M. (2019). Transforming trauma, resilience, and healing through our connection with animals. PurdueUniversity.

CISM & CANINES: THE BOND THAT HELPS HEAL FIRST RESPONDERS

Author Note

Wehaveno known conflictof interestto disclose. Correspondenceconcerning this articleshould be addressed to: John D. Hunt, MA, CCISM Co-Founder and Chief Operations Officer for theCrisis ResponseCanines. jhuntbgo@comcast.net. 609-464-3709.

CSHR  Vol. 4, No. 1 June 2022

CISMAND CANINES: THE ROLE OF CANINE INTERVENTIONS INACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS

John D. Hunt, MA, CCISM, C-AAIS, Co-Founder and Chief Operations Officer, Crisis Response Canines

Andrea Hering CCISM, C-AAIS, CPDT-KA

Co-Founder and CEO, Crisis Response Canines

INTRODUCTION

Schools have traditionally been regarded as multifaceted purpose institutions serving as centers for learning, fostering formative socialexperiences,andprovidingsafehavens wherestudentsaresurroundedbythesupport of teachers, administrators, counselors, and their peers. When students encounter traumaticeventsintheirlives,itisoftenthese individuals to whom they turn first for support.

There is a burgeoning interest in a field that is attracting heightened attention: the integration of Animal Assisted interventions as a complementary component to existing school counseling and support services. This entails augmenting existing resources through an innovative Animal Assisted School Counseling (AASC) model.

Thisarticleaimstoaddresspivotalevents that influence school communities and society. It will investigate the valuable function of an Animal Assisted School Counseling model in enriching education, offering solace, fostering support, aiding recovery, and fostering resilience in individualsand communities.Additionally, it will explore alternative methods such as AnimalAssisted Education in which canines can be employed within educational settings

to help students cope with anxiety, improve behavior, and integrate with the curriculum (Vokatis & Ormiston, 2023).

CRITICAL INCIDENTS AFFECTING SCHOOLCOMMUNITIES

A critical incident is defined as "any event which has a stressful impact sufficient enough to overwhelm the usually effective coping skills of either an individual or a group. These are typically sudden, powerful eventsoutsideoftherangeofordinaryhuman experiences" (Mitchell & Everly, 1993).

School-based critical incidents are definedasevents,eitherman-madeornatural disasters, that disrupt the normal functioning of a school. When these occur, there is an indelible impact on staff and students A well-prepared response, focused on psychological first aid and support has the potential to bring forth immediate and effective resources to help mitigate negative consequences. Animal Assisted School Counseling is one such model that has demonstrated a positive impact in the aftermath of traumatic events.

SCHOOL VIOLENCE AND MASS SHOOTINGSINTHEUNITEDSTATES

Undoubtedly, among the most vulnerable members of our society are our children.

This is an Open Access journal. It adheres to the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 Creative Commons licensing guidelines for copyrighted material. For terms and conditions of permitted uses, please see https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/legalcode. ISSN 2836-1709

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INTERVENTIONS INACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS

Unfortunately, all too frequently in recent times, the safety of our schools and universities has been compromised. When malevolence infiltrates what should be a sacred institution, it leaves behind a trail of tragic loss of lives, devastating injuries, shattered communities, and individuals deeply scarred by the violence.

Althoughtheearliestknownschoolinthe United States shooting traces back to the 1764 Pontiac School Rebellion massacre (K12Academics,2023),the1999Columbine High School shooting was a watershed moment as the overwhelming media coverage caused the country to collectively realize that no setting is immune from the violent intentions of individuals determined to unleash terrorism and prey on the defenseless. The mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas on May 24, 2022; The Covenant School shooting in Nashville, Tennessee March 27, 2023; and others are recent examples that further underscore that, despite our increased understanding of attack patterns and perpetrator profiles, and notwithstanding advancements in security measures, there is still much work to be done to prevent and respond to such incidents.

Other forms of school violence can include a wide variety of acts, such as physical assault and battery, physical or noncontact aggression, bullying (including cyberbullying), fighting, robbery, unwanted sexual contact, weapon possession, and verbal threats. The notion that these types of violence can occur virtually anywhere, sows an additional undercurrent of stress and anxiety that has a negative impact on somewhat fragile student psyches.

TRAUMATICLIFEEVENTS

Thereareadditionaltraumaticeventsthat canimpactschool communities.Amonghigh schoolstudents,unintentionalinjuriesare the leading cause of death, followed by suicide (Ivey-Stephenson et al. 2020). The COVID19 pandemic ushered in a period referred to as the "lost years," marked by increased isolation, loneliness, and a reliance on distorted social media for social connection. Consequently,suicidalideationandthetragic loss of students to suicide significantly increased.

Schools play a pivotal role in not only intervening to identify and prevent suicide but also compassionately facilitating support following the death of or serious injury to a student by any means. Responding appropriately is crucial to ensuring that everyone affected family, friends, and the school community receives the right type and amount of support.

In the aftermath of school community tragedies, hope emerges alongside opportunities for healing. Animal Assisted School Counseling, which utilizes Animal AssistedInterventions(AAI),suchasAnimal Assisted Crisis Response (AACR) and Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) interventions, is an effective means of supplying much-needed support.

PSYCHOLOGICALIMPACT

The impact of the afore-described traumatic events can materialize in many ways Common manifestations of victimization include loneliness, low self-esteem depression, anxiety, suicidality, headache, self-harm, somatic symptoms, fear, low social support, dating violence victimization, and psychotic symptoms. (National Institute

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OF CANINE INTERVENTIONS INACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS

of Justice, 2022). Further effects on staff include loss of connectedness, decreased job satisfaction, increased stress, and burnout (Turanovic & Siennick, 2022).

Post-traumatic grief can have a profound impact on students and staff and may give risetonewmentalhealthissuesorexacerbate existing conditions. Additionally, when suicide is a factor, addressing other issues is imperative, including identifying students who may be at risk of following a similar path, known as suicidal ideation or suicide contagion.

Some states such as New Jersey have introducedlegislationmandatingthatschools provide instruction including information on the physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms of grief; coping mechanisms and techniques for handling grief and loss; and resources available to students, including inschool support, mental health crisis support, and individual and group therapy (New JerseyState220th Legislature,2023). Animal Assisted School Counseling is a means to satisfy several provisions of these types of mandates.

ANIMAL ASSISTED INTERVENTIONS (AAI)

Animal Assisted Interventions (AAI) is a broad term commonly used to describe the utilization of various species of animals in diverse manners beneficial to humans. Animal Assisted therapy, education, school counseling, and crisis response are examples of types of Animal Assisted intervention (American Veterinary Medical Association. (2022). AAI can occur in various settings, such as healthcare facilities, educational institutions,businesses,orplacesofworship.

AAIs have been found to be effective in helping people cope with trauma, including after-schoolviolence(Brelsfordetal.(2017). AAIs intentionally incorporate the power of the human-animal bond into the therapeutic process, promoting connection with oneself and others. Research findings indicate that AAIs can reduce student stress and build connections within the school, strengthening student response to school-based interventions and providing a safe and supportive environment (Lane & Zavada, 2013)

CRITICALINCIDENTSTRESS MANAGEMENT

CISM is a comprehensive, integrative, multicomponent crisis intervention system with a longstanding history of effective interactions with individuals and groups in the aftermath of a critical incident. These interventions range from the pre-crisis phase through acute-crisis and into the post-crisis phase. Interventions may be applied to individuals, small functional groups, large groups, families, organizations, and even communities (Everly & Mitchell, 1997). The positive impact of CISM programs on building resilience and promotion of healing has been empirically validated (Everly & Boyle,1997).CISMsupportsthosewhohave been involved in a critical incident to share their experiences, vent their emotions, learn about stress reactions and symptoms, and obtain a referral for further help if required.

ANIMALASSISTEDCRISIS RESPONSE(AACR)

Animal Assisted Crisis Response (AACR) is a form of Animal Assisted Intervention in which“theutilizationofcertifiedcanine-and-

CISMAND CANINES: THE ROLE OF CANINE INTERVENTIONS

INACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS

handlerteamsassistingincrisisinterventions to support the psychological and physiological needs of individuals affected by, and responding to, crises and disasters in complex, unpredictable environments. These interventions provide needed respite during periods of unimaginable turmoil” (Tedeschi & Jenkins, 2019). Followingtraumaticevents, thereisanatural defense mechanism to withdraw and isolate, but there is ample evidence to support the strategyofimplementingAACRinteractions.

Dogs and their handlers can forge a collective rapport that proves invaluable in the immediate aftermath of an event, instilling a profound sense of safety and support through their reassuring presence. Additionally, they play a crucial role in promoting security, comfort, and stability, effectively grounding individuals back to reality and nurturing resilience in those who have experienced a critical incident (Chandler, 2012).

Significant research has explored the psychological and physiological effects of canines on those who have encountered traumatic events. The interaction between humans and dogs triggers the release of neurochemicals, including oxytocin, in both the circulatory system and the brain (Bua, 2013) Oxytocinservesasabufferagainstthe stress response and cortisol secretion (the stresshormone)andplaysaroleinemotions, trust, and bonding This neurochemical impact contributes to an enhanced positive interaction between the canine intervention team and thosethey engagewith.

Research within the realm of CISM and AACR interventions underscores the capacityofanimals,especiallydogs,toactas catalysts or facilitators in establishing

"affiliation[s] and relations in social interactions" (Guéquen & Ciccotti, 2008). With theadded senseof safety provided by a canine presence, the AACR team can advocate for CISM interventions, encouraging students and staff in need to acceptneeded interventions.

Teams provide education on a myriad of topics, including active shooter, and partner with school counselors to deliver education and training on difficult topics such as interpersonal violence and suicide. Teams sharemessagingonresilienceandthesupport available following traumatic incidents, including critical incident stress debriefings and AnimalAssisted Crisis Response.

Canines serve as a bridge between the isolation following a critical incident and the connection to trained interventionists, facilitating access to compassionatesupport. Individually, both the CISM and AACR interventions exhibit positive impacts. The combination of these modalities harnesses the powerful synergy of both, presenting an innovative approach that has gained widespread acceptance in practice by first respondersandhealthcarecommunities. The lessons learned from experiencewithin these

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CANINE INTERVENTIONS INACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS

fieldshaveledtothedevelopmentofaunique model for Animal Assisted School Counseling and interventions following traumatic events.

ANIMAL ASSISTED SCHOOL COUNSELING (AASC) MODELPARTNERSHIP WITH SCHOOL COUNSELORS

Animal Assisted school counseling is an innovative AAI approach that incorporates thetherapeuticpresenceofanimals,typically canines, into the school counseling environment to aid in occupational therapy, social and emotional skills development, speechandlanguagetherapy,andcounseling This method recognizes the unique bond betweenhumansandanimalsandleveragesit to create a supportive and comforting atmospherefor students.

Certified canine intervention teams in schoolshavebeenproventobebeneficialfor both students and staff. These teams help alleviate stress, anxiety, and emotional barriers, fostering a more open and trusting relationship between students and staff. Canines offer a non-judgmental and

empathetic presence, making it easier for students to express themselves and engagein school activities. Integrating canines into school counseling practices can offer valuable teaching moments for students, particularly when addressing topics such as personalresponsibility,feelings,self-control, attachment, and grief. By providing touch, affection, affirmation, and acceptance, animals can offer asafespacefor connection and relaxation, enhancing the learning environmentforeveryoneinvolved. (Morris, 2023).

The Animal Assisted Intervention diamond method is used by school counselors to facilitate the intervention. Canine handlers are not expected to lead discussions on social and emotional topics. Instead, the dog's presence provides a safe and nurturing environmentthatoffers unique opportunities for touch and affection. For example, a student could be asked to read a book about grief or adoption, leading to a meaningful conversation. The counselor facilitating the intervention can use characters in the book to discuss ways of coping with challenging situations and encouragestudentstoreflectonhowthebook parallels their own experiences.

Certified teams of canines and handlers establish trusted relationships with students and staff during regular visits to schools and participation in school events. When critical incidents occur, thesefamiliar teams respond by partnering with school resource teams to offer support.

ANIMAL ASSISTED EDUCATION (AAE)

Animal Assisted Education is a form of AnimalAssistedintervention(AAI)designed

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INACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS

for children and young adults.Aprofessional such as a teacher, together with a trained canine, aims to develop academic, socialemotional,andcognitivefunctionswithinthe context of children’s education. This approach includes play and educational components, as well as reciprocal physical interaction between the child and the animal in a naturalistic manner (Verhoeven, et al. 2023).

Severalrecentstudieshavesuggestedthat dogs can increase motivation and improve reading achievement. One study revealed significantly increased motivation to read in the presence of a dog, while other research indicated that interaction with dogs reduced stress during exam situations. Additionally, findings highlighted dogs' calming influence in elementary education environments (Verhoeven, etal. 2023).

Additionally, the use of Animal Assisted Education(AAE)hasbeenshowntoincrease social interaction between students and teachers. Elementary school teachers reported that children were more likely to share their emotions, resulting in increased empathy and improved social-emotional

functioning. Studies have also found that relationalskills increased.

The concept of play also plays an importantrole in education. Thesignificance of "play" was specifically mentioned. Furthermore, several studies highlighted the casual, playful, and relaxed nature of the intervention. Dogs can serve as mediators between a child and a teacher, especially for children who have difficulties connecting with adults. (Verhoeven, etal. 2023).

One effective method for integrating the classroom involves using visualization to stimulate creative writing. Students are encouraged to imagine the life and experiencesof adog andthenasked to create and illustrate a narrative based on their imagination (Vokatis & Ormiston (2023).

Anexampleofintegratingthecanineinto a math lesson is teaching place value. The classcanmeetwiththecanineanditshandler and ask general questions to eventually determine the canine's weight. The teacher can then use the canine's weight to explain place value. For example, if the canine weighs 53 lbs, the 5 is in the tens place, meaning the dog is 5 tens. The teacher can useothercanines'weightsformoreexamples (Vokatis & Ormiston, 2023).

SUCCESSSTORIES

Crisis Response Canines, a national organization at the forefront of standardizing AASC integration, has experienced numerous successful instances of adoption. In a recent case, a young boy who had been nonverbal after witnessing a traumatic event found solace through canine therapy. Despite previousunsuccessfulattemptsbycounselors and mental health professionals to initiate communication,the introductionofatherapy

CISMAND CANINES: THE ROLE OF CANINE

INTERVENTIONS INACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS

dog proved transformative. Beginning with simple questions like "Do you like dogs?" and progressing to activities such as walking the dog, the boy gradually opened up. This interactionnotonlyreignitedcommunication butalsoledtheboytointroducethecanineto hispeers,fosteringapositivesocialdynamic.

In another scenario, teams are frequently summoned to address sudden student deaths. A school district grappling with a cluster of student suicides collaborated with school counselors to integrate canines into the grieving process. The canines engaged with students and staff individually and in group settings, providing support as they navigated through the complexities of grief.

IMPLEMENTINGAPROGRAM

Legislation has been proposed in New Jersey to integrate therapy canines into schools. However, there are concerns about the program structure and benefits of such a program. For the safety and effectiveness of such a program, it is crucial to collaborate with a reliable and certified AnimalAssisted Intervention organization. This organization provides standards, certification, general liability insurance coverage, and consistent evaluationsofthe dog'shealth, temperament, stresslevels,andoverallsuitability.Adhering toestablishedprotocolsandguidelinesisalso essential to ensure positive interactions.

Partnering with a certified Animal Assisted Intervention organization can be highly advantageous for schools. By doing so, the handler can focus solely on the dog's behavior and respond accordingly. Not all canines and handlers are comfortable working with children in a school environment,somatchingtherightteamwith the school's specific needs is crucial. Dogs

thatareidealforhospicesorlibrariesmaynot be suitable for a busy school, and handlers who dislike working with children may not be a good fit. Detailed planning is necessary for the intervention's success, including preparing documentation such as confidentiality agreements and permission forms. Since the information presented in sessions may be sensitive, school counselors should discuss disclosures with all participants.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the integration of Animal Assisted School Counseling (AASC), Animal Assisted Crisis Response (AACR), and Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) interventions emerges as a powerful andinnovativeapproachtoprovidingsupport in the school communities. The symbiotic relationship between humans and canines plays a pivotal role in fostering resilience, promoting healing, and creating a supportive environment. The physiological, psychological, and social benefits documented in recentresearchunderscorethetransformative potential of Animal Assisted Intervention programs, urging schools to consider the integration of animals into counseling programs. Ultimately, the presence of certifiedcanineinterventionteamshasshown promising success stories, illustrating the profound positive impact on students and staff, contributing to enhanced socialemotional well-being and academic success.

REFERENCES:

American Veterinary Medical Association. (2022). Animal assisted interventions: Definitions. https://www.avma.org/resourcestools/avma-policies/animal-assistedinterventions-definitions

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OF CANINE INTERVENTIONS INACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS

Brelsford, V. L., Meints, K., Gee, N. R., & Pfeffer, K. (2017). Animal assisted interventions in the classroom A systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health,14(7), 669. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14070669

Bua, F. (2013). A qualitative investigation intodogsservingonanimalassistedcrisis response (AACR) teams: Advances in crisis counseling [Doctoral dissertation, LatrobeUniversity].

http://arrow.latrobe.edu.au:8080/vital/ac cess/manager/Repository/latrobe:35600

Chandler, C. K. (2012). Animal assisted therapy in counseling (2nd ed.). Routledge Taylor &Francis Group.

Everly, G. S., & Boyle, S. (1997). CISD: A meta-analysis. [Paper presentation]. 4th World Congress on Stress, Trauma, and Coping in the Emergency Services Professions. Baltimore, MD. https://www.nmhealth.org/publication/vi ew/general/1951

Everly, G. S., & Mitchell, J. T. (1997). Critical incident stress management (CISM): A new era and standard of care incrisisintervention. Chevron.

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550PolarisParkway,Suite300 Westerville,OH43082

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