GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Around a dozen four-legged friends visited Life EMS Ambulance in Grand Rapids Wednesday to get used to the sounds, sights and smells.
During National EMS Week, Life EMS partnered with Paws With A Cause, an organization that trains future assistance dogs for people with disabilities.
“It’s just been a great relationship and it’s been effective in giving dogs a sense of what the ambulance is like,” said Mark Meijer, the president of Life EMS.
The event was aimed at introducing future assistance dogs to the sights, sounds and smells of emergency vehicles. The goal is to prepare these puppies for chaotic situations they have the chance of encountering in the future.
“These kinds of things could be scary to a puppy,” said Megan Ouding, head foster puppy trainer at Paws With A Cause. “Getting a really positive experience now can be really helpful.”
They explored ambulance vehicles, listened to sirens and even watched paramedics work through simulated emergency scenarios.
“When they go off to a client some day, a lot of our clients have some health issues and it’s a real possibility that they could need emergency help so it’s good,” said Ouding.
Foster a puppy, other ways to volunteer with Paws with a Cause
Many of the puppies remained calm and alert, such as 10-month-old golden retriever, Remy. Deann Hurn, Remy’s puppy raiser, has been exposing Remy to a variety of high-stress situations over the last eight months. She said she saw significant growth in her foster dog’s behavior.
Ouding, whose father was a paramedic with Life EMS, said the partnership is meaningful on multiple levels.
“It’s both a way to show love to our first responders here in Grand Rapids and it’s also a really great opportunity for our puppies to learn something too, about first responders, ambulances and that kind of stuff,” she said.
The dogs even joined EMS for “puppy love” time, a chance for those who deal with emergencies day after day to pet some cute dogs and hopefully reduce their stress.
“They can’t get enough recognition for what they do,” Meijer said. “Being there to take care of folks is usually what’s the most intimate and tragic part of their life.”
Stephanie Rahilly, deputy director of ancillary service delivery at Life EMS, said it’s a mutually beneficial relationship.
“The dog has a job to do as much as our EMT and paramedics have a job to do and together, we become a team in the care of that person,” Rahilly said. “To interact with these dogs is a de-stressor for our staff too.”
National EMS Week continues through May 24.
