K9 First Responders

25/10/2026

Three years ago today, a horrific act of violence took the lives of 18 people and wounded 13 others. For nearly 49 hours, communities lived with the uncertainty and fear of a gunman still unaccounted for.

K9 First Responders (K9FR) teams had the privilege of being part of the response and recovery efforts.

But the people of Maine are not defined by this tragedy.

The people and communities of Lewiston, Auburn, and Falmouth, and beyond came together in extraordinary ways, demonstrating compassion, strength, and resilience in the face of unimaginable loss.

There are no words that can adequately express the love and respect we hold for these communities and the people who welcomed us into their lives during such a difficult time.

We remain deeply grateful for the friendships formed, the trust extended to us, and the opportunity to have walked alongside them, even briefly.

Today, we remember the 18 lives lost, those who were wounded, their families, and everyone whose life was forever changed.

You remain in our thoughts, with our enduring friendship, love, and respect.

11/09/2026

September Morning

September skies wept
Names remain where voices fade
We remember still

30/08/2026

The past few days have not been filled with joy. This past week, we lost K9FR Taro to cancer.

Taro was the epitome of a Bernese Mountain Dog and served with distinction for several years, bringing comfort to many in law enforcement, EMS, and corrections. His gentle demeanor opened the door to countless conversations and offered a quiet, reassuring presence to those we serve.

Much of the work our dogs do happens in the moments people may never see... the personal connections, the comfort, and the space they create for healing. Taro had a special way of allowing those moments to happen.

Rest easy, Taro. You will be deeply missed.

22/08/2026

Frens! I'm here! I made it to the Rainbow Bridge! Look at me, weeeee!! 🌈🐾

I can breathe freely and my legs don't hurt anymore. There are so many frens surrounding me!

I already passed a love note to my Excellent Angel Girlfren Zoe the Therapy Dog, and I ate pizza with Juno from Juno's Place! 🍕 She still uses her Ma's bank card to pay. She memorized the number. So we get unlimited pizza!

Angel HANZ, already built a dog park up here, and we eat ice cream all the time!

Bennie Boo Beags taught me how to howl, and now we sing duets at karaoke! And Jeffrey, The Positively Peaceful Pit Bull still lets me boss him. So I do. Cuz who wouldn't boss a big ole gentle hippo around whenever possible?

Gideon still thinks he is my trusted adult and keeps asking if I'm mad, sad or worried.

K9 First Responders Spartacus Chooch, Socrates, Clarence, Dascha, Ben, Lilly, Nutmeg, Teddy, and even lil Cooper and Pipsqueak are all here with the SWAT team trying unsuccessfully to keep everyone in line.

So many more frens are here with me, too. We are all happy and free and feeling no pain. ❤️

And that brings me to my next point.

We see you.

We see your grief and the hurt you are feeling, not just from my passing, but from memories of your own beloved pets who have crossed.

We know it's not easy. Because on Earth, grief is part of loving someone so very muchly.

Those tears you cry? That's just love streaming from your eyes because it's overflowing from your hearts.

I feel it. I feel all your love. ❤️

You know who else feels all your love and has lots of love tears, too?

Ma.

She is in awe of the thousands upon thousands of heartfelt messages, prayers, well wishes, and your own stories of grief from when you lost your beloved pets. She has read many of your comments, and her heart is warmed, and sometimes broken, by all your beautiful love stories.

Here's the thing.
Ma hasn't been sleeping. She was up with me all night before I crossed, and she and Gadget were up last night grieving...even though I'm still right there inside their hearts.

So for the next few days, please be patient with them. If you text or ask to see them or just say hi and don't get a response right away, please know Ma and Gadget are sending all the love and are so thankful for your amazing support.

They just need to quiet their minds and hearts for a bit and process, is all.

We love you all so muchly.

Forevers.

Don't forget, ok? ❤️

Soon Ma will be sharing some of the wonderful tributes and telling you all about the BIG signs I am sending her so she knows I'm still with her.

Ma needs in-your-face signs because she never notices if they're too little.

She's not smart like me! 😂🐾

That will all come in time, ok?

For now, just know I made it.

I can breathe.
I can run.
Nothing hurts.
I'm surrounded by frens.

And the pawrty is huuuuge! 🌈🐾🍕

Cuz we're frens!
Forevers.
❤️ Signed, Gizmo

22/08/2026

With heavy hearts, we say goodbye to K9FR Gizmo.

​There are truly no words to capture the depth of this loss. Gizmo brought warmth to the hardest days and left behind a trail of smiles, comfort, and unforgettable memories. Thank you for your service and your beautiful spirit.

​Rest peacefully, sweet boy. You will be missed beyond measure. 🐾✨

Therapy Dog Gizmo

22/08/2026

With heavy hearts, we say goodbye to K9FR Gizmo.

​There are truly no words to capture the depth of this loss. Gizmo brought warmth to the hardest days and left behind a trail of smiles, comfort, and unforgettable memories. Thank you for your service and your beautiful spirit.

​Rest peacefully, sweet boy. You will be missed beyond measure. 🐾✨

20/06/2026

Trauma shatters safety, and trust is the very first casualty. It rewires the brain into a constant state of high alert.

When crisis teams arrive, they often face an invisible wall of resistance. It’s not stubbornness... it’s survival.

That’s where a crisis mental health canine team comes in.

While the human mind stays guarded, a dog’s presence bypasses intellectual defenses, signaling safety directly to the nervous system. The handler reads and guides this connection, creating a three-way bridge of trust so true healing can begin.

11/06/2026