Blue Line Dogs

OUR MISSION

Blue Line Dogs

The mission of Blue Line Dogs is to strengthen the wellness of First Responders by recruiting, training, and deploying Therapy Dog teams. Through education, advocacy, and community engagement, we raise awareness of the vital role Therapy Dogs play in resilience, recovery, and morale.

We partner directly with First Responder agencies to ensure Therapy Dog programs are deployed responsibly and effectively, always in support of those who dedicate their lives to protecting our communities. At no cost to agencies, we provide vetted Therapy Dog teams as well as guidance for developing sustainable canine programs.

As a recognized training and certifying organization, Blue Line Dogs formalizes partnerships through Memorandums of Agreement and also extends mutual aid by providing Therapy Dog teams to outside agencies upon request. Our work is sustained through training services, outreach, public education, and donations, ensuring that volunteer teams have the resources they need to serve with excellence.

Benefits of a Therapy Dog Program

Calm in Crisis

In times of crisis, people often shut down emotionally and struggle to think clearly.

The presence of a therapy dog—and simple physical contact—helps calm individuals so they can regain focus and communicate their needs.

Science-Backed Support

Research shows that interactions with dogs affect brain chemistry:

↑ Oxytocin → strengthens trust and bonding

↑ Dopamine → boosts motivation and reward response

↓ Cortisol → lowers stress and supports immune function

Reducing Stress=Improving Performance

Stress reduces productivity and decision-making.

Therapy dogs help lower stress, restoring balance, clarity, and resilience.

Whole-Person Wellness

Spending time with therapy dogs produces measurable benefits across:

Physical health – lower blood pressure, reduced heart rate

Mental health – reduced anxiety and depression

Emotional support – comfort, connection, resilience

Social connection – fosters communication and camaraderie

Therapy Dogs Change Lives

Whether in crisis response, daily wellness programs, or community outreach, therapy dogs provide powerful support for First Responders and the people they serve.

Partnership with First Responers

Blue Line Dogs partners with local law enforcement, fire departments, and other First Responder agencies through our Therapy Dog Program (TDP) — provided at no cost to the agency.

The TDP is designed to reduce stress, provide comfort, and boost morale for First Responders and agency personnel. Therapy Dog Teams (TDTs) bring emotional support without disrupting agency operations, ensuring that wellness can be addressed alongside mission readiness.

Our program delivers support through:

Workplace visits during crisis debriefings or as part of proactive wellness initiatives
On-scene interventions to comfort victims, witnesses, and First Responders after traumatic events
Ongoing wellness engagement that strengthens resilience and overall well-being

We work closely with agency leadership to ensure deployments are thoughtful, professional, and mission-aligned. Program limitations are guided by therapeutic needs, tactical considerations, and the feasibility of success in each situation.

The result: A healthier, more resilient First Responder community supported by the proven benefits of Therapy Dogs.

Please acknowledge a Hero

Our Mission

For 15 years, the American Humane Society has had a nationwide competition to find and acknowledge dogs from various categories that will be named Hero Dog.

LAPD Therapy Dog Rudy is a Semi Finalist !!

Rudy is a steady and motivated Therapy Dog that has brought Care, Compassion, and Comfort to thousands of First Responders. We are proud of Rudy and his Handler Steven for the many "Mental Health Moments they have provided. They make a difference!

You can vote once per category every 24 hours.

Voting ends September 15, 2025

Link to Vote for Rudy!

Call to Service

Blue Line Dogs Disaster Response : Los Angeles Area Fires

Blue Line Dogs Therapy Dog Teams, assigned to the Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and Vernon Police Department, were activated to support personnel during the Los Angeles Area wildfires.

Our mission during this time was simple but vital: provide moments of mental health, comfort, and resilience to First Responders and support staff working in high-stress, high-demand environments.

Deployment Sites

Los Angeles City Emergency Operations Center
LAPD, CHP, LAFD and LASD Communication Dispatch Centers
Palisades Staging Area
National Guard Palisades Base Camp
Zuma Beach Command Post
Los Angeles County Emergency Operations Bureau
Cal Fire Base Camp – Rose Bowl, Pasadena

Impact

Over a 13-day deployment period, our teams made more than 10,800 direct contacts with sworn and civilian personnel across multiple agencies.

LAPD: 2,120 sworn | 1,389 civilian
LASD: 243 sworn | 255 civilian
Cal Fire: 6,046 sworn | 774 civilian
Total Contacts: 10,816

These teams provide moments of mental health.

Welcome

Specialty Dogs by and for First Responders

Blue Line Dogs - A Partner in Community Support

OUR MISSION

Blue Line Dogs

Benefits of a Therapy Dog Program

Partnership with First Responers

Please acknowledge a Hero

Our Mission

Call to Service

See our dogs in action

Contact Us

Please contact us If you have any questions or would like to volunteer

Blue Line Dogs

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