Our Mission

The mission of Crisis Response Canines is to provide strength, comfort, and emotional support to individuals, families, communities, and first responders experiencing intense traumatic emotions in the aftermath of critical incidents.

About CRC

Crisis Response Canines (CRC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization comprised of certified K9 teams throughout the United States who have dedicated thousands of hours comforting those impacted by personal or community crisis events. Our highly trained K9 teams are experienced in psychological first aid and certified to work effectively in crisis environments supporting anyone affected by mass shootings, large-scale accidents, violence, abuse, tragic death, suicides, terrorism, natural disasters (fire, flood, hurricane, etc.) and more.

Our goal is to establish a nationwide network of canine crisis response teams who can be deployed immediately where they are needed most. CRC also offers local volunteer services that are provided by the handlers and their canine partners, offering a level of comfort and calmness that only a canine can.

CRC has two team levels: CRC Comfort and CRC Operational Deployment. Our CRC Comfort Teams serve as the foundation for our visits to hospitals, schools, businesses, speaking events, and other similar opportunities. The CRC Operational Deployment teams have the capability to respond to National Crisis Events. CRC is a strategic partner with the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF). Operational Deployment Members are mandated to successfully complete ICISF Individual and Group training. Additional training completed by the Operational Deployment teams include the AKC CanineGood Citizen Advanced (CGCA), Canine Good Citizen Urban (CGCU) Certification, CRC Crisis ResponseCanine Working Dog Certification, Law Enforcement Defensive Systems Crisis Working Dog Certification, and specific courses associated with healthcare, mental, & behavioral health.

Our volunteer members and their canine partners have completed background checks and must complete a comprehensive series of nationally recognized certifications and commit to ongoing training with annual re-testing/re-certifications as required to perform duties.

What We Do

Team members have a wide range of backgrounds including law enforcement, military, health care, and education. This highly experienced complement of team members affords for a broad range of peer-to-peer support in virtually any situation.

Canine handlers are required to participate in robust education and training to achieve and maintain certifications from FEMA’s National Incident Command Structure Training and the principles of Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM). Several of our members completed the CISM certification of knowledge exam offered through the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Department of Emergency Health Services thru its Professional and Continuing Education Program (PACE). Other required certifications include Pet First Aid, CPR, and specific courses associated with healthcare, and behavioral health.

CRC canines also have extensive training and certifications including (not limited to):

Last Updated: 01/28/25