Maya McFadden Photos
Brandon Bartell meets Riggs.
First responders throughout the state will soon have a new furry team member to help American Medical Response (AMR) workers cope with their high-stress work.
Riggs, a 9‑week-old labradoodle, will soon start a year of training to be the state’s first global medical response (GMR) therapy dog.
Mayor Justin Elicker joined workers from the states AMR operations in Waterbury, Bridgeport, Hartford, and New Haven Tuesday to introduce the state’s new four-legged friend.
Riggs will first go through good citizenship training to learn basic obedience commands and to get used to an ambulance’s operations like sirens. He will then go through a year-long GMR program to become a certified therapy dog.
AMR’s Allison Claudio will be Rigg’s handler. While Claudio and Riggs will live in New Haven, Claudio will take Riggs to visit each of the state’s four AMR operations each week to greet and assist the first responders.
After training, Riggs will help provide AMR workers with immediate aid after difficult calls that may cause anxiety or distress on the job.
A therapy dog for the state’s AMR team reflects the risk and trauma first responders endure, said Elicker.
“We care so deeply for you because of the care you give our community,” he said.
Diana Keil.
The AMR team began the process for applying for a therapy dog this past October, said Chris Chaplin, AMR regional director for Connecticut.
The team had to provide statewide data on the number of high-stress calls the AMR receives daily.
“This will be a great addition to taking care of first responders well-being,” said AMR operation manager, Brandon Bartell.
