Community & Facility Therapy Dogs
Our Community & Facility Therapy Dog programs bring comfort, connection, and calm to people across our communities — from police and fire departments to hospitals, schools, and public events.
Most of our therapy dogs belong to everyday citizens who trained with K-9 Caring Angels to pass our intensive Therapy Dog certification. Together, these volunteers and their dogs give back through visits that bring joy, hope, and healing wherever they go.
Alongside these community teams, our Facility Therapy Dogs work full-time in departments and institutions that benefit from ongoing emotional support — helping first responders, students, and patients manage stress and reconnect with compassion.
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![A police officer standing outdoors, holding a certificate from Caring Angels Therapy Dogs, with a small black and white therapy dog sitting on a car's tailgate beside him.]()
Indy – Richard Bland College Police Department (Virginia)
Indy is a purebred Havanese therapy dog serving with the Richard Bland College Police Department as part of the school’s Therapy and Wellness Program. Funded through a $23,000 wellness grant from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, Indy was trained and certified by K-9 Caring Angels of Northern Virginia to support the emotional and mental-wellness needs of both officers and students.
Gentle, intelligent, and full of personality, Indy provides comfort during times of stress and helps foster positive relationships between law enforcement and the campus community. She participates in counseling sessions, outreach events, and daily interactions that promote well-being across campus.
Her handler, Chief Thomas J. Travis, says Indy has helped the department “connect with the community like we never have before.” Together, they bring calm, compassion, and care to the heart of Richard Bland College.
(Source: Inside RBC Magazine, Richard Bland College of William & Mary)
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![A woman kneeling next to a therapy dog wearing a sheriff's vest. The woman is smiling and has short blonde hair, wearing a black blazer and a patterned blouse. The therapy dog is a large, fluffy, white and tan dog with blue eyes, sitting on a carpeted floor near a beige wall, with a flag standing next to it.]()
Bailey with Fairfax Sheriff Kincaid (Virginia)
Bailey (FCSO Peer-Support Therapy Dog)
Bailey serves as a dedicated peer-support therapy dog for the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office, working alongside staff to promote resilience, emotional well-being, and connection. According to FCSO’s Peer Support Team, “With his gentle demeanor and comforting presence, Bailey offers a unique form of support to our team, helping to promote well-being and resilience among our staff.” fcsocareers.org
He provides on-site presence at critical incidents, interacts in debriefings, and helps break down barriers to mental-health conversations. His role underscores the value of certified therapy dog teams in high-stress service environments. -
![Two women in business attire with two service dogs in a room with flags and a closed door, smiling at the camera.]()
Hutter – Fairfax County Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court (Virginia)
Hutter, a purebred English Cream Golden Retriever, serves with the Fairfax County Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court as a certified therapy and emotional-support dog. Raised and trained by K-9 Caring Angels, Hutter’s calm, intuitive nature made him a natural fit for supporting victims and families during some of life’s most difficult moments.
Working alongside Victim Services Program Manager Jeannie Kuley, Hutter provides steady comfort to children and adults navigating the emotional stress of court proceedings. His presence helps calm nerves, reduce anxiety, and bring compassion into an often-intimidating environment.
Known affectionately as the department’s “Field Training Instructor (FTI)”, Hutter also mentors newer therapy dogs — including Bailey, the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office therapy dog — modeling the patience and professionalism that make him such a remarkable partner in service.Description goes here
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![Two people standing with a service dog in front of a backdrop with the Methodist Healthcare logo. One person is in a police-style uniform, and the other is a man in a striped suit with a hat and pink tie. The service dog has a yellow harness and is sitting between them.]()
Wilson with Amanda Bowen Battalion Chief Memphis Fire Department (Tennessee)
Wilson – Memphis Fire Department (Memphis, TN)
Wilson is a Golden Doodle certified by K-9 Caring Angels and placed with the Memphis Fire Department to support the emotional and mental-wellness needs of the firefighting team. Local Memphis Introduced in 2019, Wilson was brought on to reduce high stress and PTSD rates shared by the department’s personnel — and is one of the first of its kind in the region.
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![A man is lying on the carpeted floor, hugging a large plush dog while a small dog with light-colored, curly fur lies next to him with its mouth open, appearing happy.]()
Asher – Charlotte Fire Department (North Carolina)
Asher, an Aussiedoodle, serves as a full-time peer-support and therapy dog with the Charlotte Fire Department, trained and placed by K-9 Caring Angels Therapy & Service Dogs. Calm, intuitive, and highly social, Asher was specifically prepared to provide comfort to firefighters and staff following difficult calls or critical incidents.
His placement reflects the department’s growing commitment to mental wellness, recognizing that first responders face intense emotional stress in the line of duty. Whether he’s greeting crews returning from a fire or visiting classrooms during public education events, Asher’s presence brings relief, connection, and a reminder that healing happens through compassion.
Asher works alongside Captain Jeff Hair, helping to build resilience within the fire service and strengthening the bond between first responders and the community they serve.
(Source: WCNC Charlotte, 2024)Description goes here
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CAT with Charlotte, NC Fire Department (North Carolina)
CAT, formally known as Lady Katherine, serves the Charlotte Fire Department’s Community Engagement K-9 Program. Donated by K‑9 Caring Angels Therapy & Service Dogs, she is named in honor of Katherine Hazemey, a valued volunteer with the organization. City of Charlotte+2WSOC TV+2
As a purebred English Cream Golden Retriever born December 29, 2019, CAT completed her training and certification as a therapy team with her handler, Fire Educator Rick Dunton. WSOC TV+1
Her dual role includes public-education duties (demonstrating fire-safety skills like stop-drop-and-roll, crawling under low smoke, and door-heat detection) and serving as a peer-support animal for firefighters and first-responder crews. She has visited all 42 fire stations on every shift, and provides stress-relief and wellness support through therapy visits. iHeartDogs.com+1 -
![Firefighters, elderly women, and therapy dogs in an indoor setting with a fire-themed backdrop, engaging in a therapy session.]()
Phoenix - Charlotte, NC Fire Department (North Carolina)
Phoenix serves as the therapy dog at Charlotte Firehouse 27 under the Charlotte Fire Department’s pioneering K-9 Therapy Program. City of Charlotte+2Hoodline+2 After significant personal mental-health struggles, Firefighter Matthew Wiatrowski credits Phoenix with helping him find hope again:
“If it wasn’t for her, I probably wouldn’t be here right now.” Hoodline
Phoenix attends emergency calls and station days, offering a friendly muzzle and wag to offset the stress of the job and promote resilience among firefighters and first responders.Description goes here -
![A man in uniform, wearing a cap, gently holding a black labrador retriever puppy's face while sitting on the floor of a fire station. Several other firefighters are sitting in the background.]()
Yara & Jax – El Cajon Fire Department (California)
Yara and Jax are the El Cajon Fire Department’s certified wellness canines, trained and placed through K-9 Caring Angels. Yara, a Golden Retriever, became the department’s first therapy dog in 2019 after completing her certification and bonding quickly with first responders recovering from traumatic calls.
Her calm, intuitive nature made her an instant favorite among crews, providing comfort during critical-incident debriefings and community-outreach events alike. In 2023, she was joined by Jax, another Golden Retriever, expanding the department’s peer-support and wellness reach.Together, Yara and Jax visit fire stations across El Cajon, participate in school safety programs, and represent the department at community events such as “Dog Days of Summer.” They remind everyone—from firefighters to families—that compassion and connection are vital tools in emergency service work.
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![A man kneeling next to a golden retriever dog in front of a red fire truck with 'SNOQUALMIE FIRE DEPT.' written on it. The man is smiling, holding the dog's face lovingly.]()
Phoebe – Snoqualmie Fire Department (Washington)
Phoebe, a one-year-old Goldendoodle, made a 2,700-mile journey from Virginia to Washington to join the Snoqualmie Fire Department as the station’s first live-in therapy dog. Trained and donated by K-9 Caring Angels, Phoebe serves as a full-time companion and stress-relief partner for local firefighters and first responders.
Known for her calm, affectionate personality, Phoebe spends her days moving from firefighter to firefighter, offering comfort after difficult calls and brightening daily life at the station. She’s already become a vital part of the department’s wellness efforts — helping responders decompress, lower stress, and build stronger connections.
The program, led by firefighter Matt Mundy and volunteer firefighter Lorrie Jones, was inspired by Fairfax County’s pioneering firehouse therapy dog initiative. Funded through the Snoqualmie Firefighters Association and local business sponsors, Phoebe’s presence represents the first K-9 Caring Angels firehouse placement on the West Coast.
When duty calls, Phoebe knows to retreat to her kennel — her “safe spot” during dispatches — but the rest of the time, she’s spreading love, wagging her tail, and reminding her team to pause, breathe, and smile.
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Xander – Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Station 15 (Virginia)
Xander is a certified Golden Doodle therapy dog living full-time at Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Station 15 in Chantilly, Virginia. Donated by anonymous supporters and Caring Angels Therapy Dogs (now K-9 Caring Angels), and sponsored by Sit Means Sit, Xander was specifically trained for the demands of a working firehouse environment.
As part of Fairfax County’s Behavioral Health initiative, Xander helps reduce the cumulative stress firefighters and paramedics experience after responding to traumatic incidents. He provides a steady, comforting presence — available 24/7 to every shift — and reminds his team to pause, reset, and reconnect amid the challenges of emergency service life.
Each shift at Station 15 has two designated handlers trained to care for Xander, ensuring he’s always surrounded by familiar faces and support. Together with therapy K-9s Wally (Station 32) and Belle (Behavioral Health Office), Xander represents a growing movement in public safety: prioritizing the mental health and emotional resilience of those who serve.
(Source: Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department, Captain II Tracey Reed)Description goes here
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![A dog sitting on the floor in front of a signage that reads 'Medic Battalion 5'. The dog is identified as Wally, with a Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department badge in the corner. There's an orange container with fire rescue supplies next to the dog.]()
Wally – Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Station 32 (Virginia)
Wally, a certified Goldendoodle therapy dog, was the first K-9 placed in the Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department’s Wellness and Behavioral Health Program. Donated and trained by K-9 Caring Angels, Wally was carefully prepared for the unique demands of station life and the emotional needs of first responders.
Living full-time at Station 32, Wally provides comfort and stability after difficult calls, helping firefighters and paramedics decompress from the intense stress that comes with their work. His calm presence, affectionate nature, and natural empathy have made him a beloved member of the crew.
Wally’s success became the foundation for Fairfax County’s firehouse therapy-dog initiative, paving the way for future placements like Xander at Station 15 and Belle with the Behavioral Health Office. Together, these K-9s continue to strengthen the department’s culture of wellness, compassion, and care.
(Source: WTOP News, 2017)
Community Therapy Teams: Everyday Heroes Giving Back
Across the country, K-9 Caring Angels therapy teams bring compassion and calm wherever they go — hospitals, schools, veterans’ events, senior centers, and first responder departments.
Each of these dedicated volunteers once began as everyday dog owners who chose to give back by training their companions to pass our intensive therapy certification program.
From comforting a child in crisis to greeting travelers on Honor Flights or brightening the day of a weary firefighter, our therapy teams embody the heart of K-9 Caring Angels: connection through kindness.
Every visit is a reminder that healing doesn’t always come in words — sometimes it’s found in a gentle nudge, a wagging tail, or a quiet moment shared between friends.
From senior living centers and libraries to first responder stations and airports, K-9 Caring Angels therapy teams bring comfort and connection wherever they go. Each visit is an opportunity to brighten someone’s day — a reminder that kindness, empathy, and healing can come on four paws and a wagging tail.
Join the K-9 Caring Angels Therapy Network
Inspired to make a difference with your own dog?
America’s K-9 Caring Angels Dog Training offers the professional training needed to prepare dogs and handlers for therapy work. Once trained, teams can complete official certification and placement through K-9 Caring Angels Therapy and Service Dogs 501(c)(3) — our national nonprofit network.
Already trained elsewhere? You can still apply to test and certify through our nonprofit organization.
Dog trainers and therapy organizations may also apply to become approved K-9 Caring Angels Evaluators to certify therapy teams in their own communities.
Training programs are provided by America’s K-9 Caring Angels Dog Training (LLC). Testing, certification, and placement are administered through K-9 Caring Angels Therapy and Service Dogs 501(c)(3).
Interested in training your own dog for therapy work?
Our partner organization, America’s K-9 Caring Angels Dog Training, provides professional obedience and therapy preparation programs for families throughout the DMV region.
Once trained, teams can certify through K-9 Caring Angels Therapy & Service Dogs 501(c)(3).