K9 Spotlight: Aaron McNally & Pierce

Aaron McNally & Pierce
Chaplain/Therapy Dog Handler

Instagram: @pierce_theminigoldendoodle

We experienced a tragic event in our community several years ago. A Therapy Dog team came to serve us during that time. The story and service of the Therapy Dog were significant. I walked away that day with a passion to provide this service to our local area as well. Pierce is a registered Therapy Dog with First Responder Therapy Dogs, serving with Spokane County Fire District 8. I serve SCFD8 as a Chaplain. Pierce and I visit our four fire stations one day each week. We also visit a neighboring fire agency, the Spokane Valley Fire Department in Spokane Valley, WA. Visiting fire stations is a morale boost for the firefighters while they are at work. They engage with Pierce by petting, playing with, and talking to him. The office staff also enjoy his visits. We respond to traumatic calls together and often deploy Pierce for therapy work when the situation calls for it. We carry miniature stuffed animals that look like him to leave with families who are suffering. Having a tangible item to hold onto during a struggle has proved to be beneficial. It is a joy to see smiles on people's faces in the midst of tragedy. We realize it doesn't change their circumstances or loss, but it does provide a glimpse of hope in the situation. We have also visited local hospitals, Incident Management Teams during major wildland fires, and other local tragic events. During a 10,000-acre fire near us, we visited the Incident Command Post, returned during shift change, and were later invited back for a debriefing. Three debriefings were held with over one hundred firefighters present. Many took advantage of Pierce's presence and visited with us. I am a member of our local Spokane County Critical Incident Stress Management Team. Pierce attends and is available to visit those in attendance. He quietly roams the room and often visits those who are speaking, which in itself has a strong therapeutic effect. We hope to continue providing emotional support through K9 therapy to our first responders and citizens in our local area for many years to come. We are thankful for Ray Allen K9.

Their Gear: We use the E-Lusive 2.0 Collar, the Renegade Harness, and the Quandary Hrness. Ray Allen served us above and beyond by customizing our E-Lusive collar to his specific size. All items have performed well.

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