News Release



News Release

Contact: Bill Hatherley July 7, 2010

Cell: (770) 375-6885

WASL.BH@

Alpharetta Hosts Training Program for Crisis Response Dogs

Alpharetta, Ga. – HOPE Animal-Assisted Crisis Response (AACR), a national nonprofit organization whose members provide emotional support to individuals and first responders affected by crisis and disaster, is conducting an extensive 3-day training workshop for 15 dog/handler teams from around the eastern region of the US. These dog/handler teams will be newly certified crisis response “comfort” dogs and are trained to work in high stress situations, noisy and often crowded environments to provide comfort and emotional support for those affected by crisis or disaster. They create a special bridge to those who are isolated or shut down due to trauma.

“We’re honored to have the opportunity to increase our presence around the southeast so that our specially trained and certified dog/handler teams will be available to support the mental health and recovery efforts of other voluntary agencies and relief organizations such as the Red Cross, FEMA, GEMA, local police and fire to name a few.” says Deborah Hatherley, Southeast Regional Director. Since HOPE AACR was founded in 2000, certified dog/handler teams have provided emotional care and comfort to victims and first responders following the September 11th terrorist attacks, Hurricane Katrina, wildfires in California, Georgia and Florida, and Virginia Tech following the shootings in 2007. HOPE AACR teams also provided comfort following the plane crash in Montana and the Metrolink train derailment in California. The dog/handler teams work with Operation Homefront in welcoming home soldiers and provide support for military families. HOPE AACR teams collaborate with various state and local emergency first responders and relief agencies and participate in disaster drills.

Training for the dog/handler teams include presentations by first responders, relief agencies and HOPE AACR members on Disaster Psychology, Working with Diverse Populations, Identifying and Managing Stress, Canine Behavior, and Psychological First Aid. There will be special on-site training at the Alpharetta Fire Station and to the Atlanta Airport where the dog/handler teams will pass through TSA security and board a Delta aircraft.

More information about HOPE AACR and instructions on how to make a financial contribution online to the organization can be found at .

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Editor’s note: The HOPE AACR Workshop Training is being held July 9-11 at the Roswell Alpharetta Public Safety Training Center (RAPSTC) in Alpharetta (11565 Maxwell Road). There will be special on-site training at the Alpharetta Fire Station 3 (9800 Westside Parkway) on Friday from 3:15 to 4:15 where firemen in turnout gear will interact with the dog/handler teams. We will be making a trip to the Atlanta Airport, passing through TSA security and boarding a Delta aircraft on Saturday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. To schedule an interview, please contact Bill Hatherley at (770) 375-6885 at any time.

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