Crisis Response Canines (CRC) is dedicated to delivering professional canine-handler teams that play a pivotal role in supporting communities, individuals, and workplaces affected by crises and disasters. The organization focuses on using evidence-based animal-assisted interventions to promote resilience and offer comfort to those impacted by traumatic events.
Are You Ready to Challenge Your Team to do More?
The socialization and training that a Seeing Eye puppy undergoes is an excellent foundation for becoming a Crisis Response Canine. CRC is a national organization comprised entirely of volunteers who donate their time and their amazing dogs to help others.
All of our teams work actively in their communities to support our schools, healthcare facilities, community events, and military and first responders. Those teams who wish to respond to local crisis events are required to undergo some online training which can be completed after becoming a member.
Our operational deployment teams respond nationally to work alongside first responders in the aftermath of traumatic events, providing essential emotional support to affected communities. These teams have completed additional training to ensure the quality of care and professionalism provided to those affected by a large-scale crisis is nothing less than excellent.
If you are looking for an opportunity to engage your career change Seeing Eye dog and utilze the extensive training they already possess, give us a call to learn more about how you can join us in this rewarding endeavor.
Nancy Mittleman
nmittleman@crisiscanines.org
CRC Member
Leader of the Gloucester Co Seeing Eye Puppy Raising Club
Becky Langer
blanger@crisiscanines.org
CRC Volunteer Network Liaison
Gloucester Co TSE Club Puppy Raiser, Puppy Educator, and Social Media Mgr.
Before becoming a Crisis Response Canine team, you and your canine must first certify to become a therapy team through a nationally recognized therapy organization. The “Become a Therapy Dog” button will direct you to Alliance of Therapy Dogs for more info.
If you are already a therapy team, you can apply to CRC. If you have not been a therapy team for a year, we can make an exception based on your team’s experience.
Know Your Therapy Terms:
Animal Assisted Interventions (AAI)
AAI is an umbrella term for any way animals are used to help people. This could mean therapy, education, or fun activities with animals. You might see AAI in hospitals, schools, workplaces, or even churches.
Animal Assisted Activities (AAA)
AAA is when a volunteer and their certified therapy dog visit people for casual, feel-good interactions—no special training for the human is required. It’s all about spreading joy, not meeting set goals. Think of “read to a dog” events at the library or quick meet-and-greets that brighten someone’s day.
Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT)
AAT is more structured and goal-focused. A trained handler and their animal work with people to improve things like physical health, social skills, emotions, or cognitive function. Visits usually last about an hour and have clear objectives, like helping students in special education, visiting hospital patients, or running school reading programs.
Animal Assisted Crisis Response (AACR)
AACR teams are specially trained to bring comfort and emotional support after serious crises or disasters. Both the handler and dog are prepared for unpredictable, high-stress situations—anything from line-of-duty deaths and suicide to natural disasters to mass tragedies. These visits can last hours or days, and teams may travel by car, plane, train, or even boat to reach those in need.
Learn more about Crisis Response Canines
visit www.crisiscanines.org