PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Days after the fire in Fairmount claimed the lives of 12 people, the community is continuing to step up and lend a hand — or a paw — to the families and first responders.
The nonprofit Crisis Response Canines, based in the Philadelphia and South Jersey area, is working to help people heal. The national organization often responds to tragic events like mass shootings to provide comfort to victims through pet therapy.
“Being around dogs is a natural stress reliever, so it’s really important to give people who are experiencing trauma those moments to take a breath and take a moment for themself and to really decompress. And that’s what they’re here for,” said Sophia Barrett, who volunteers for the organization with her basset-Lab mix, Teddy.
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They attended a candlelight vigil on Thursday for the 12 victims, to comfort anyone there who needed it.
“It’s always an honor to be the reason someone might smile in a time like this,” she said.
Barrett hopes to bring Teddy to visit schools and firefighters, who may have been emotionally affected by the tragic loss.
“He’s my best friend, and I love that we can volunteer together.”
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