Watch CBS News

Local Therapy Dogs In Orlando To Help First Responders Deal With The Tragedy

By Kim Glovas

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A team of six therapy dogs and their handlers, left Philadelphia International Airport today, heading to Orlando.

This is part of a mission of mercy for first responders and others involved in the nightclub shooting.

Tom Cimino is team leader for the Tri-State K-9 Crisis Response Team. He says the six dogs will be providing crisis response to those who were on the front lines that night.

"Our main objective is really to provide services for emergency responders, because typically in a crisis situation, those individuals are overlooked."

Cimino says the dogs have been trained to deal with those with post traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.

"I've been told by one individual that it just allowed me to breathe for the first time in a long time. So you can imagine the amount of stress that first responders have to deal with."

In addition, to meetings with emergency personnel the teams will also be attending a couple community get-togethers, as well.

For more information, click here.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.