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.

healing, hope, and comfort in action.

Rudy !

Inspiring Dogs Honored With 2025 AKC Awards for Canine Excellence

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 was Selected as the

AKC ACE Therapy Dog for 2025

Dogs make incredible impacts in the lives of their owners. Every day, they remind us of their incredible abilities and how lucky we are to have them in our lives. To honors dogs like these, the American Kennel Club hosts the AKC Humane Fund Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE).

In their 26th year, these awards honor and celebrate loyal, hard-working dogs that have significantly improved the lives of their owners and/or their communities. Out of over 700 nominations, up 100 from last year, six dogs and one team were honored in their respective categories.

Link to AKC Acknowledgement for Rudy!

Blue Line Dogs Disaster Response: Los Angeles Area Fires

Our Therapy Dog Teams, serving the LAPD, LASD, and Vernon Police Department, were activated to support personnel during the Los Angeles area wildfires.

Our mission was clear and vital: to provide moments of comfort, mental health support, and resilience to first responders and support staff operating in high-stress, high-demand environments.

Deployment Sites

Los Angeles City Emergency Operations Center
LAPD, CHP, LAFD, and LASD Communications/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

Through these interactions, our teams provided crucial moments of mental health support, comfort, and reassurance to those serving on the front lines of the disaster.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

Each interaction—whether a pat, a calm presence, or a canine by their side—brought reassurance, eased stress, and reminded first responders they were not alone.

Moments That Define Us

This gallery is a celebration of the heart, dedication, and tireless service of the Blue Line Dogs family. Each photo tells a story—not just of training or deployments, but of the deep connection between our members, their therapy dogs, and the communities they serve.

These images capture the laughter, the quiet moments of focus, the patience, and the perseverance that go into every session, every visit, every act of service. They are a testament to the countless hours our members give, often without recognition, driven by a shared commitment to bring comfort, hope, and healing.

What makes all the effort worthwhile is the response we witness—the gratitude, smiles, and relief from Police, Fire, EMS, Dispatchers, military personnel, and the civilian peersonnel who support them. Every wagging tail, every paw placed, every calm moment shared with someone in need reminds us why we do what we do.

Privacy Policy

Blue Line Dogs is committed to protecting the privacy, dignity, and confidentiality of all individuals and agencies we serve. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, protect, and manage information obtained through our activities, including therapy dog visits, volunteer participation, community outreach, training, and online services.

We recognize the sensitive nature of many of our interactions — particularly in hospitals, schools, law enforcement environments, and disaster response settings — and are dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of discretion and respect.

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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

healing, hope, and comfort in action.

Rudy !

Inspiring Dogs Honored With 2025 AKC Awards for Canine Excellence

Blue Line Dogs Disaster Response: Los Angeles Area Fires

Moments That Define Us

See our dogs in action

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Privacy Policy