Westwood Fire Department Welcomes New Therapy Dog

The Westwood Fire Department has a new member. Montego “Monti” is a one-year-old, second generation Goldendoodle (which means she has hair, not fur, and doesn’t shed) who is a trained therapy dog who senses stress. She was brought to the Fire Department by K-9 Caring Angels, an organization which trains therapy dogs. K-9 Caring Angels began training dogs for PTSD and stress certification for veterans, but then observed first responders also have a high rate of these issues as well.

“Monti was donated to the Westwood Fire Department, and she is completely certified,” explains Fire Department Office Manager and Monti’s handler, Carolyn Wade. When K-9 Caring Angels gave Monti to the Fire Department, there was a four-day course to make sure she was well-trained. “She lives at the station, and hangs out with all four groups of firefighters,” says Wade.

However, Monti is also able to give support in the case of an emergency. Wade gave the example of when Monti recently went to her first house fire. It was a young family who was new to town, and had two young children. Monti comforted the children and they talked about the fire with Wade. She also notes that Monti may be used if a severe car crash were to occur in town to work with any witnesses.

Wade is working on making the people of Westwood more familiar with Monti. She has visited the nursery schools in town, and will attend Deerfield Elementary School’s Intergenerational Lunch with fourth graders and senior citizens from the Westwood Senior Center. At the recent Little League Parade, Monti rode in the fire truck that led the parade. Monti is here to help the community and is looking forward to becoming more familiar with the people of Westwood.