In California, the wildfires are raging. In total, there are about 1.6 million acres burning. In Marin County, the 2,700-acre Woodward Fire alone has demanded the attention of hundreds of firefighters. Currently, there are over 250 firefighters, eight crews, and 20 fire engines working to put out the devastating flames. There are also five helicopters and two water-scooping planes being used, according to NBC Bay Area.
The firefighters don't get a lot of down time, but they are finding comfort in one very special friend: a golden retriever named Kerith.
Kerith is a certified crisis response therapy dog, which means she has the special skills and super-friendly demeanor it takes to provide the ultimate comfort to those who need a reprieve. And she has been visiting the hardworking heroes fighting the flames in California every day at the wildfire base camp.
Kerith's visits are definitely helpful to the hardworking heroes, and it seems like this pup truly loves her job, as well.
Dogs are so important for providing comfort and stress relief. That's why therapy dogs serve such a crucial role when it comes to tragedies, natural disasters, and other hardships. Kerith is an absolute pro, and helping out the hardworking firefighters is her main mission right now.
Kerith is a very special and very sweet girl. She's a 2-year-old golden retriever with a big job that she seems to love to do. Every day for the past few weeks, she has met firefighters at the wildfire base camp in Marin County.
It seems pretty clear from all the smiles (and the wags) that everyone is pretty happy when Kerith comes around. She provides a bit of calm and comfort for the men and women who are working around the clock to bring an end to the flames ravaging the forest and threatening the surrounding community.
After morning briefings, Kerith spends some time with the firefighters. It definitely seems like time well-spent. "We are tasked with things that push our limits," John Aitchison, a firefighter in Marin County, told Today. "And having something like a dog brings some of type of normalcy back into our lives. All these abnormal events are getting really tiring on all our folks here. So having that comfort is therapeutic."
It's wonderful to hear that Kerith's efforts are paying off, especially because she wasn't always in the same line of work! Kerith was actually trained to be a guide dog for the blind when she was 14 months old. However, her current job as a therapy dog is a perfect fit.
A lot of times, the firefighters are dealing with some traumatic incidents. Kerith’s presence is helpful in allowing the firefighters to cope. “Often, the firefighters won’t talk about their feelings, but if there’s a dog there, then it helps for them to open up and feel like they can talk,” Kerith’s trainer, Heidi Carman, said.
For some, having Kerith there feels familiar, and it's therefore comforting in another way. "These fires are getting longer and longer, and we're spending more and more time away from our families," John Aitchison said. "A golden retriever, one of the happiest things in the world, just reminds you of home."
So many dogs are incredibly loving and affectionate, and they all serve an important purpose. But therapy dogs are extra special, and they have to be incredibly well-trained. Heidi says that Kerith went through some rigorous training to gain her certification.
In order to be certified, Kerith had to pass a pretty tough test in front of five judges. If she jumped even once during the entire test, she wouldn’t pass. Of course, it’s a bit different now. Kerith is allowed to show a little excitement. “Now she loves to jump up and dance with the firefighters,” Heidi said.
Hopefully, the hardworking firefighters will get a break soon. And hopefully so will Kerith! For now, she's putting lots of brave heroes at ease. In that sense, sweet Kerith is a hero herself.
Happy International Dog Day!
