This group is outstanding in assisting first responders. Members are always willing to stop in just to see and cheer us up and provide support. Additionally, they come up to assist us with our open houses and other community events, which the kids love. The staff of Edwardsville PD appreciate their support.
February 1, 2022
Board of Directors
National Crisis Response Canines
RE: December 2021 Kentucky Tornadoes
To Whom It May Concern:
Please allow me the opportunity to thank you for the recent four-week deployment of your volunteers
to western Kentucky in response to the December 2021 tornadoes. In the face of such despair, loss and
destruction across our Commonwealth, we saw so much hope from how people responded to help our
community. However, none of those that have helped – and there have been so many – have had as
universally positive, uplifting and genuinely joyful response as the teams from the National Crisis
Response Canines received.
Our agency was on the ground in the immediate aftermath of the storms. In a matter of days, we were
embedded with the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center and working alongside their teams, the America Red
Cross and the consolidated local efforts. Early on Andy Garmezy connected with me and was simply
wonderful to work with. He and Cooper made such a positive impression everywhere they went. Mr.
Garmezy kept in regular communication with our team. He would confirm with us opportunities he and
the team had to visit storm survivors and participate in community support events over their
deployment. He actively sought opportunities to make the most of their time on the ground here,
including stretching activities across the hundreds of miles ravaged by these historic tornadoes.
Our team that volunteered to provide mental health support at the various locations saw the impact Mr.
Garmezy, Cooper and the other volunteers had first hand. They also benefited themselves from
interaction with Cooper. Here are a few direct quotes from our staff members from their interactions
with the National Crisis Response Canines teams.
"As volunteer clinicians, interacting with Cooper and Serene provided a mental reprieve.
More importantly, it was incredible to see how their presence at the FEMA site was a
rainbow moment for so many affected by the tornado. The National Crisis Response
Canines brought a smile to many faces during a dark time in the community."
"As a volunteer at the FEMA site - having Andy and Cooper visit the site was a nice moment
for all. The check-ins with staff made you realize the importance they have during times like
this. Watching staff members just pet him and the others and just talk - you could tell it was
something that helped them get through the rest of their day. We are ever so grateful for
the work Cooper put in, we know it isn't easy and exhausting. He is one thing that I took
away from all this as a source of sunshine and a help to the victims and workers of the
tornado disaster"
I had the good fortune to witness the impact this work can have myself. One afternoon while talking
with Mr. Garmezy about community opportunities for him to consider, a member of the national
response group from American Red Cross stopped by to check in with us on another matter. Cooper
walked up to him, sat down and ‘smiled’. The man stopped talking for a minute and bent down to pet
Cooper. Cooper put his paws on his shoulders and leaned in to hug the man. It moved him to tears. He
began to talk about how he was processing what he had seen as they surveyed the storm damage and
talked with survivors. It was a profound moment and I am so glad that Mr. Garmezy and Cooper were
there to help him.
I hope that no community ever has to deal with the loss and devastation that Bowling Green, Dawson
Springs and Mayfield experienced in December. However, I’m eternally grateful for the service that the
National Crisis Response Canines, Mr. Garmezy and Cooper provide. If there is ever anything I can do to
help your organization going forward, please let me know. You can reach me at jbeaver@lifeskills.com
or (270) 901-5239.
Here in Bowling Green, we are forever grateful for your response in our time of need and the lasting,
positive impact it has had.
Sincerely,
Joe Dan Beavers, CPA, MHA
President/CEO
NATIONAL has been an ambitious goal for me and my canine since becoming a member in 2016. As a Team we learned together, trained together, practiced and experienced responding to a variety of situations unlike the rigors of day to day routine. Being part of an organization that builds pride and confidence into every aspect of its design is remarkable.
The gratitude expressed for NATIONAL’s Team support, outreach and compassion is heartfelt and strengthening. Working along side other Teams having the same passion and kindness for humanity in distress is an opportunity for growing together and giving back. These relationships are ones which bond us for a lifetime, through the happy, the sad, and the worry we see on the faces we meet.
Our canines go to work to unravel all that is discouraging and foster being there as a friend in need. I have watched several canines in this role and each exhibits a personality and a flare for transforming individuals’ losses into hopeful gains in days ahead.
Being prepared to respond to a request and share in the magic and power of a Canine’s human connection is uplifting and a smile-maker for anyone who has seen NATIONAL’s Teams with their boots on the ground. Friendships and trust building is key to recovery; these Canines pave the way. . . .
As the former Executive Director at a local children’s advocacy center, I have had the privilege and benefit to work with several dogs and handlers through National Crisis Response Canines over the years. We used this program to support children and families who were involved in investigations of child abuse. In particular, Serene and Zeke helped children feel more calm and safe as they prepared for their forensic interviews. They also supported family members who struggled with the trauma of abuse that impacts family members too and the complexity of life after an abuse disclosure. We became close with the canines and handlers who also came to the Center to support the staff and multidisciplinary team members who work so hard to support, provide services and justice for children impacted by abuse. The time to connect with our furry friends brought mindfulness and stress relief during stressful days for the staff and team. We also loved that they attended events at the Center and in the community and always offered their services to other first responders and community members.
The level of professionalism, understanding of trauma and its impact, and care for others was unmatched with the National Crisis Response Canines. These dogs and their handlers were our go to and first choice when we had a need for the extra support. I am grateful to have this trusted resource in our local area and to have established such a wonderful relationship.
The picture is from an event two of our favorites attended with us to support child abuse prevention efforts in the community.
If I could tell just one thing about NATIONAL Crisis Response Canines: These working canines are trained to shine the warm light of safety into some of the darkest places imaginable to individuals and responders impacted by crisis or disaster.
Deployed upon request, their sole mission is sharing human/canine bonds inspiring resilience and recovery via silent psychological first aid to persons, including responders, affected by a traumatic event.
As President of Max Fire Training, Inc., I can confidently say that having National Crisis Response Canines at our training sessions is not just a benefit—it’s a priority. Their professionalism, dedication to training, and ability to connect with people make them an integral part of our events.
We have been fortunate to have their crisis canine teams present at several Max Fire Training events, including our Acquired Structure Burns. These highly trained teams bring a level of expertise and commitment that goes far beyond what is expected of therapy dogs, which is why they stand out as a vital resource in our community. Their presence creates a positive and supportive environment, providing much-needed comfort and encouragement to firefighters in high-pressure training scenarios.
One memorable moment occurred during an Acquired Structure Burn, where their calm and steady presence gave the participants a morale boost, helping them focus and recharge amidst the intensity of the training. Firefighters consistently share how much they value these interactions, often commenting on how the dogs contribute to their overall learning experience.
The dedication of National Crisis Response Canines to exceeding the highest standards of training and outreach is evident in everything they do. They truly make a difference, and I strongly encourage others to support their mission to raise awareness and funds for this outstanding organization.
Shawn C. Bloemker
Max Fire Training, Inc.
As a board member of NATIONAL Crisis Response Canines, I’m honored to support an organization rooted in compassion, dedication, and a steadfast commitment to serving communities during their most challenging moments. NATIONAL’s volunteers and their canine partners bring comfort, connection, and hope to those navigating trauma and loss, and I know how fortunate I am to get to play a small part in that.
The organization prioritizes thorough training, meaningful standards, and strong relationships with community partners, ensuring teams are prepared to respond with care and professionalism. Like any growing organization, NATIONAL is on a journey of continuous improvement, but its heart and mission remain clear and unwavering. It’s a privilege to be part of this work, and I’m deeply grateful for the passion, care, and dedication shown by every volunteer, partner, and leader involved.
Our employees work day in and day out in extremely high pressure environment. The thousands of passengers that passed through our doors and board our aircraft depend on us to be at our absolute best. It goes without mention that this can bring high levels of stress into the lives of each and every employee. We have had the pleasure of having several of the national crisis dogs coming to the airport to gift us with their special healing powers. From employees to passengers every individual was delighted. Most people don't understand the healing powers that these wonderful little Fur People can wield. But after our first visit with this team our employees have become believers. It will be my wish that we can have them permanently here at our Airport on hand for any crisis that may arise or just for a moment to allow employees and passengers to de-stress. They are truly an amazing group and I am so pleased that I've had the honor to get to know them and to have them grace us with their presence at our events.
I have been involved with NATIONAL for 10 plus years with two different canine partners. Watching the canines form connections with others is powerful. During the most difficult events many times the quiet presence has more of an impact than words. I am grateful to have the opportunity and honor to be at the other end of the leash.
I have been a certified NATIONAL Crisis Response Canine team for 3 years but with the organization for 6 years. Our training was extended due to COVID. There are no words to describe the wonder of working alongside my canine partner, Jet. I am honored and grateful to this organization to have the opportunity to witness Jet's innate ability to empathically connect with those who experience stress, sadness, and/or loneliness to name a few. After certifying with NATIONAL we were invited to embed with a local fire station which has proven to be a perfect match. Jet gets to participate in drills, exposing him to all the sights, smells, and sounds associated with emergency response, and in turn, he has developed deep supportive relationships and connections with the members of the station who we know have hard jobs as first responders. I am grateful for the NATIONAL organization, the volunteers who support our mission, and my mentors who have supported our growth and development as a canine response team. Because of NATIONAL Jet and I have the confidence to respond safely and effectively.
My dog and I were recently certified by NATIONAL Crisis Response Canines and I'm so enjoying the experience. We have not only seen first hand the impact a canine can have on individuals navigating stressful situations but volunteering with this organization has been enlightening in many ways. My canine and I now regularly visit agencies within our community. We not only see the challenges of individuals in times of stress but the comfort that a canine can bring. I've seen school children break out in a smile when they see my dog is visiting. I've seen a young person ask to pet my dog at a local food bank and when my dog nuzzled into her, tears flowed down her face. My dog stayed by her side until her crying stopped. These visits have given me a tangible action amidst life's craziness and I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to make a difference. The trained NATIONAL teams are extremely supportive of the volunteers and any questions I have had are answered immediately. I highly recommend playing a role in this organization in any capacity that speaks to you.
I have been involved with this nonprofit for over 10 years. I have responded to several national disasters and numerous ones locally as well as throughout Alaska. The quality training of both the HUMAN and the canine is obvious. Seeing and experiencing is believing. How do I explain the impact of the connection with a safe, loving canine on a young child who experienced the trauma in Uvalde. Actually while flying home I then met a woman who had experienced the Columbine school shooting. She held my dog, talked, and asked to be held while she cried! What about being told "You saved my life that night" after a local response after the suicide of a school peer? This gal still had the canine's card in her wallet 3 years later. You won't see us soliciting funds during disasters or sharing identifiable information out of respect for those impacted by the disaster. My canine is also the AK Police Fire Chaplain in Anchorage. Certification by NATIONAL Crisis REsponse Canines is required. We get dispatched by 911 throughout the municipality to support people in the worst moments of their lives...home, school, workplace, and throughout the community!