Therapy Dogs Featured at Local Fundraiser
First Responder Therapy Dogs were the main attraction at a Valentine's Day fundraiser in San Anselmo. The event, held outside Town Hall, aimed to raise funds for the organization, which provides emotional support to first responders and the community during crises. The therapy dogs, including a popular canine named Shasta, offered comfort to attendees.
- The First Responder Therapy Dogs organization was founded in Marin County by Heidi Carman after her golden retriever, Kerith, was deemed too friendly to be a guide dog and instead became a certified therapy dog. - What began with visits to local fire stations in 2020 has rapidly expanded into a national non-profit. As of mid-2024, the organization has grown to include over 500 certified therapy dog teams operating in 46 states. - The organization's services, which are provided free of charge, include visits to police and fire stations, 911 dispatch centers, hospitals, and wildfire base camps. - Scientific studies have shown that interacting with therapy dogs can lower blood pressure and stress while increasing positive neurochemicals. The organization aims to provide a stigma-free mental health tool for professions that experience high rates of PTSD, depression, and stress. - The founder, Heidi Carman, and First Responder Therapy Dogs were recognized as one of the Top 5 CNN Heroes of 2025. - Kerith, the original therapy dog, has a significant social media presence, with her own Instagram account boasting 16,000 followers, which has been instrumental in the organization's growth.
