During a recent search operation off Treasure Island in Laguna Beach, a five-year-old girl went missing after being swept away by a rip current. Rescue teams, including firefighters, lifeguards, park rangers, police, paramedics, and dispatchers, spent nearly two days conducting search efforts. While the operation unfolded, Laguna Beach Fire Capt. Pat Cary took on the role of liaison, providing ongoing support and updates to the grieving family. Cary, a safety officer with 15 years of experience, noted the emotional difficulty of the situation, describing the challenge of coping with grief amid the search.

Following the incident, first responders participated in a debrief aimed at sharing their experiences and processing the trauma. In addition to traditional peer-support personnel and clinicians, the group was joined by a Critical Incident Stress K-9 (CISK) named Oro, a young Aussiedoodle trained to provide mental health assistance. Handled by firefighter/paramedic Logan Strook, Oro wore a peer-support vest and interacted with responders by offering physical comfort and reducing tension. Cary noted that the presence of Oro helped the team open up during the debrief, highlighting the dog’s ability to detect heightened stress levels and respond accordingly.

Laguna Beach Fire is among a handful of departments in Orange County to incorporate CISK units, following Huntington Beach Fire Department’s lead nearly five years ago with Kingman, a chocolate lab and Siberian husky mix. Kingman’s handler, Fire Engineer Kane Johnson, emphasized the role of trauma dogs in creating a nonjudgmental environment that encourages firefighters to express emotions that might otherwise be suppressed. Johnson, who has served for 21 years, described Kingman as “the ultimate icebreaker,” facilitating mental health conversations that can be difficult for responders to initiate on their own.

The development of CISK programs responds to growing awareness of the psychological pressures faced by first responders. Research cited from the Psychiatric Association highlights that recurring exposure to traumatic events can have lasting mental health consequences, with data from the International Association of Firefighters indicating that 28% of firefighters are at risk for suicide or suicidal ideation. The dogs, many of which are rescues, undergo a year-long training process before pairing with their handlers and subsequently serving to support mental health within fire departments.

The CISK effort is supported by organizations such as the Patriotic Service Dog Foundation, founded in 2012 by Tom Tackett, who noted the toll cumulative trauma takes on firefighters. Tackett also oversees training for firefighters and their dogs across multiple agencies in California and beyond, reinforcing the expanding reach of the program.

California’s statewide CISK program, led by Sacramento Fire Department Captain Richard Alamo, aims to extend this model nationally. Since its inception in 2022, peer support teams associated with the program have engaged with approximately 150,000 first responders. Handlers like Strook, who was selected through a competitive process and is nearing full certification, underscore the importance of addressing mental health stigma within the fire service. Strook highlighted ongoing cultural and generational challenges that hinder open discussions about mental well-being, despite increasing availability of peer support resources.

Marine Safety Chief Kai Bond of Laguna Beach praised the inclusion of Oro as valuable not only for firefighters but also for lifeguards coping with difficult incidents. Bond remarked that Oro’s presence brought comfort even during the most challenging moments.

For Cary, the significance of the trauma dog extends beyond companionship. He said the harness that Oro wears symbolizes an acknowledgment within the department that experiencing tough days and carrying emotional wounds is part of the job—and that seeking help is both acceptable and encouraged.