Therapy dogs join EMS Peer Support Unit in New York City
Specially trained therapy dog, Atuq, has seen every single EMS station in New York City.
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Specially trained therapy dog, Atuq, has seen every single EMS station in New York City. Though he can't speak for himself, when you see Atuq with EMS workers, you know he's good at making friends.
Atuq joined the EMS Peer Support Unit last October after EMS Lt. Andrea Zander approached her resource chief with the idea of integrating therapy dogs into the unit's work.
Zander says her canine partner opens people right up.
"They'll say 'Let me tell you about this call I had 10 years ago.' These are things people have been holding on to for a long time. Your cup is so full. Where do you pour it out?" said Zander.
A second therapy dog named Scarlet recently joined Atuq.
