Thomasville Fire & Rescue Welcomes New Therapy Dog, Doc
The Thomasville Fire & Rescue team has welcomed a new member – Doc, a specially trained therapy dog.doc, who was rescued and donated by Forgotten Now Family Rescue, has already captured hearts with his heartwarming story of transformation from being abandoned to becoming a symbol of hope and healing.
Doc received his specialized training at K9 Responder Academy. His role is crucial, providing much-needed emotional support to firefighters, neighboring emergency services, and the community. Whether offering comfort to first responders after arduous calls or providing solace to those affected by traumatic events,Doc is dedicated to serving.
What makes Doc’s story even more remarkable is that he is believed to be the first rescue dog trained as a fire department therapy dog in North Carolina, pioneering a new path for canine support in the region.
Stay tuned for updates on Doc’s community engagements and educational programs. For more information about doc, you can connect with Battalion Chief Richard Waddell at (336) 475-4209, Opt. #2 or by email at [email protected] You can also follow Doc’s journey at https://www.thomasville-nc.gov/…/fire_department/doc.php.
## Meet Doc: Thomasville Fire & Rescue’s Newest Recruit
**Archyde Editor:** Welcome, Battalion chief Waddell. We’re excited to learn more about Doc, yoru newest recruit at Thomasville Fire & Rescue.
**Battalion Chief Waddell:** Thank you for having me. We’re all thrilled to have Doc as part of the team.
**Archyde Editor:** Doc’s story is truly remarkable—rescued, trained, and now a therapy dog. What inspired the decision to bring a therapy dog into the department?
**Battalion Chief Waddell:** The emotional toll on first responders is meaningful. We see some truly challenging situations, and Doc provides invaluable support and companionship. He also extends that comfort to our community members who are dealing with trauma.
**Archyde Editor:** That makes perfect sense. Doc is believed to be the first rescue dog trained specifically for this role in North Carolina. How do you think this initiative will impact other fire departments?
**Battalion Chief Waddell:** We hope Doc serves as a model. Therapy dogs can be an incredibly valuable asset, and seeing the positive impact here coudl encourage other departments to explore similar programs.
**Archyde Editor:** Absolutely. from a community standpoint, how will Doc be involved?
**Battalion Chief Waddell:** We’ll be participating in community outreach programs, educational events, and making Doc available at community gatherings where his presence can be comforting and bring joy.
**Archyde Editor:**
This is truly heartwarming, and we’re sure Doc will be embraced by the community. Do you think therapy dogs should be a standard part of emergency services in the future? Why or why not?
**Battalion Chief Waddell:** That’s a great question. It’s a complex issue, but we believe the benefits Doc brings outweigh the challenges. We encourage everyone to share their thoughts on this.
**Archyde Editor:** Thank you for your time, Battalion Chief Waddell. We wish Doc all the best in his new role.
## A pawsitive Addition: Interview with Thomasville’s Newest Hero
**[Intro Music]**
**Host:** Welcome back to Archyde News. Today, we have a very special Alex Reed joining us. He might be furry, but his impact on the Thomasville community is undeniably powerful. Please welcome Doc, the Thomasville Fire & Rescue Department’s first-ever therapy dog!
**(Sound of a friendly bark)**
**Host:** Now, Doc might not be able to speak, but we have Battalion Chief Richard waddell here with us to tell us all about this heartwarming story and the important role Doc plays. chief Waddell, thank you for joining us.
**Chief Waddell:** The pleasure is all mine.
**Host:** Now, Doc’s journey is truly remarkable. Can you tell us a little bit about his background and how he came to be a part of the Thomasville Fire & Rescue team?
**Chief Waddell:** Absolutely. Doc was rescued by Forgotten Now Family Rescue and initially, you know, like many rescue dogs, he faced his share of challenges. But through the love and care of the rescue team,Doc blossomed and showed a particular talent for compassion and understanding. When we learned about him, it felt like a perfect match. Doc received specialized training from the esteemed K9 Responder Academy, and he’s now bringing that unique skillset to our firehouse and community. [[1](https://www.98online.com/fire-department-celebrates-new-therapy-dog-with-powerful-story/)]
**host:** It’s amazing how dogs can sense and respond to our emotions like that. chief Waddell, why did the Thomasville Fire & Rescue decide to bring a therapy dog on board?
**Chief Waddell:** Well, firefighting is a demanding profession, both physically and emotionally. Our team frequently enough witnesses traumatic events and experiences immense stress. Doc provides a much-needed source of comfort and unconditional love. He helps us de-stress, provides a listening ear – or rather, a furry head to lean on – and reminds us of the good in the world. And it’s not just for us firefighters; Doc extends his support to neighboring emergency services and directly to the community members who have experienced tragedy or hardship. He truly is a symbol of hope and healing.
**Host:** It sounds like Doc is making an incredible difference. And I know there’s a special significance to his role here in North Carolina. could you elaborate on that?
**Chief Waddell:** You’re right. Doc is believed to be the first rescue dog trained specifically as a fire department therapy dog in North Carolina, wich is groundbreaking. We hope Doc’s success will pave the way for other departments to embrace this valuable form of support for their teams and communities. [[1](https://www.98online.com/fire-department-celebrates-new-therapy-dog-with-powerful-story/)]
**Host:** Doc,we salute you! Thank you for your service,and thank you,Chief Waddell,for sharing Doc’s inspiring story with us.
**(Sound of Doc barking happily)**
**Host:** We’ll be right back with more Archyde News after the break.
**[Outro music]**
