They are more than a team. They are healing, hope, and comfort in action.
"By and for First Responders"
About Blue Line Dogs
The work of a First Responder is rewarding, but it is also stressful and highly challenging. Daily exposure to crisis situations takes a toll on both sworn and civilian personnel. Supporting the mental and physical well-being of First Responders is essential to maintaining the quality of service our communities depend on.
About Our Founders
The founders of Blue Line Dogs are retired law enforcement professionals with over 60 years of combined service in Patrol, Investigations—including Sexual Assault, Child Exploitation, Homicide, and Burglary—and Leadership roles.
Their extensive field and investigative experience gave them a deep understanding of the emotional strain and mental health challenges First Responders face daily, including stress, PTSD, and compassion fatigue. They have trained officers, investigators, dispatchers, and tactical teams in crisis response, trauma awareness, and mental wellness.
Even in retirement, they continue to serve as Reserve Level I Police Officers and volunteers, bringing unmatched insight, empathy, and dedication to supporting First Responders and their communities through Blue Line Dogs.
Professional Dog Training & Excellence
Blue Line Dogs brings over 45 years of professional dog training experience to every team and deployment. Our lead trainer is a 1981 graduate of the United States Air Force’s 341st Training Squadron at Lackland Air Force Base—an internationally recognized program for preparing Military Working Dog handlers and canines. This forms the foundation of our training philosophy.
All trainers and handlers receive standardized, science-based training to ensure humane treatment and exceptional care. Training emphasizes canine behavior, psychology, drive, proper handling, and optimizing human-animal interaction for safe, effective, and compassionate responses in any situation.
Our trainers maintain ongoing continuing education, serve as AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluators, and hold certifications as Instructors in Pet First Aid and CPR. This ensures every team is fully prepared for emergencies, health needs, and real-world deployments.
Through elite training, standardized humane methods, and continuous education, we deliver the highest standard of safety, effectiveness, and care—bringing comfort, support, and resilience to First Responders and the communities they serve.
Mental Health
The founders of Blue Line Dogs bring extensive experience in law enforcement mental health intervention. Having served in one of the largest Police Mental Health Intervention Units, they played a key role in developing courses and instructing Police Officers, Tactical Teams, Correctional Officers, Dispatchers, and Mental Health Clinicians in crisis response techniques.
Through this work, they witnessed firsthand the toll that trauma and high-stress incidents take on first responders. This insight shapes every aspect of Blue Line Dogs’ mission, ensuring therapy dog teams deliver meaningful support, resilience, and emotional relief to those who serve.
Program Approach
Blue Line Dogs integrates therapy dogs into structured wellness programs for First Responders, emphasizing Psychological First Aid (PFA) and emotional resilience. Teams provide facility visits, wellness training support, and on-scene assistance during critical incidents.
Volunteers are carefully vetted and trained in confidentiality, human and canine First Aid/CPR, suicide awareness, dog handling, and the FEMA Incident Command System (ICS) to ensure safe, professional, and effective support.
Through these efforts, Blue Line Dogs delivers meaningful comfort, stress relief, and wellness resources to those who serve and protect our communities.
Our Commitment
Combining decades of law enforcement experience with dog training excellence, Blue Line Dogs delivers a Therapy Dog program uniquely designed for First Responders. Our mission is to provide comfort, resilience, and unwavering support to those who dedicate their lives to protecting others.
The work of a First Responder is rewarding, but it can also be intensely stressful, exposing individuals to crisis, trauma, and high-pressure situations daily. Supporting the mental and physical well-being of both sworn and civilian personnel is essential to sustaining their ability to serve the community with excellence, compassion, and safety.
Our Team
Our Dogs
What it Takes to Be a Therapy Dog
Not every dog is suited for the important work of a Therapy Dog. These dogs must be more than friendly companions—they need a rare combination of temperament, training, and heart to serve in demanding environments.
Therapy Dogs must be:
- Obedient, consistent, and reliable
- Friendly, gentle, and emotionally steady
- Confident and resilient in unfamiliar settings
- Comfortable meeting new people and working amid stress, noise, and activity
- Focused, calm, and not easily distracted
- Above all, dogs who genuinely enjoy human connection—being petted, hugged, and close to people
Each Blue Line Dog undergoes rigorous, ongoing training and conditioning across a wide range of environments. Dogs are continually observed, proofed, and field-tested to ensure they remain calm, responsive, and ready to serve.
Every Therapy Dog Team must successfully complete the program’s foundational canine course and pass the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test. Many teams continue to earn advanced certifications, including AKC Urban Dog, AKC Trick Dog, and AKC Community Canine.
Each Therapy Dog is personally owned, trained, and cared for by their handler, who assumes full responsibility for the dog’s health, training, and well-being. Together, handler and dog form a true working team—and at Blue Line Dogs, we understand that meaningful service requires dedication, discipline, and continuous effort.
Our Therapy Dog Teams stand ready to bring comfort, connection, and resilience wherever they are needed most.
Our Volunteer Handlers
It takes a special person to be a Specialty Dog Handler.
Being a Therapy Dog Handler is about much more than holding the leash—it requires a positive attitude, dedication, and a true commitment to service. Volunteer Handlers must be open to learning new techniques, adaptable to program goals, and attuned to their dog’s needs. Knowing when to trust the dog and when to step in as a leader is key to working safely and effectively as a team.
The primary mission is simple yet vital: to bring comfort to others.
Volunteer Requirements
- Must be the owner of a dog that meets minimum standards of manageability and conduct
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must complete program orientation, an interview, and a background check
Training and Education
Volunteer teams progress through several training phases, including:
- Handler Education Course
- Obedience Training
- Field Training in various environments
Accelerated Phase waivers may be available for experienced teams who successfully pass a skills test.
In addition, handlers must complete:
- Pet First Aid and CPR certification
- FEMA ICS 100 course
- Suicide Awareness class
- Psychological First Aid course
- Breed-specific education for their dog
Commitment
Handlers are volunteers and are not compensated for their time, expenses, or their dog’s care, training, or medical needs. Each handler is responsible for maintaining their dog and ensuring ongoing readiness for service.
At Blue Line Dogs, we believe teamwork takes work—and together, our volunteer teams make a lasting impact by providing comfort, resilience, and hope where it’s needed most. It is more than just holding the leash. A positive attitude of service to the community is paramount.
Our Volunteer Dog Trainers
Training and Leadership
Experienced and knowledgeable trainers are the backbone of any successful Specialty Dog Program. For Blue Line Dogs, maintaining an ongoing, active, and realistic training program is essential to ensure the safety, effectiveness, and professionalism of our Therapy Dog Teams.
Commitment to Consistent Training
Our In-house trainers provide continuous guidance and oversight, ensuring teams progress safely and effectively.
Because our dogs enter the program with varying levels of experience, realistic training scenarios are used to test and develop each team’s potential.
Trainers actively observe, evaluate, and intervene when necessary, ensuring no team becomes a liability.
Handlers and trainers work closely together, with every session documented to track progress and growth.
Safety as a Priority
Safety is the responsibility of every team member. Strict protocols are taught, reinforced, and reviewed regularly. Following deployments and on a quarterly basis, all teams participate in formal debriefings to reflect, learn, and adapt.
Trainer Qualifications
All Blue Line Dogs trainers:
- Are graduates of a formal dog training program with at least 3 years of lead-trainer experience
- or have a minimum of 5 years as a lead dog training
and
- Maintain continuing education and stay current with research and new approaches in canine training and handler development
- Are American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Good Citizen Evaluators
- Hold certifications in Human and Pet First Aid/CPR
- Have completed Psychological First Aid training
We also offer an Apprentice Trainer Program, where developing trainers work under supervision to gain valuable hands-on experience.
Leadership is teamwork !
Handlers are not passive participants—they are integral to the training process. Their feedback and insights are actively sought, ensuring training meets the needs of both dog and handler.
At Blue Line Dogs, leadership is teamwork—and teamwork begins with training.
Support Personnel Volunteer Scout
Scouts are essential support personnel who assist therapy dog handlers during visits, deployments, and training exercises.
Scouts do not handle a dog as their primary responsibility but may assist in dog management when the handler is otherwise occupied. Their focus is on safety, situational awareness, consent, program representation, and support of handlers and teams.
Primary Responsibilities
- Assisting handlers during therapy dog visits, deployments, and training exercises
- Maintaining situational awareness in dynamic or high-stress environments
- Monitoring for safety concerns affecting dogs, handlers, First Responders, or the public
- Assessing and respecting consent and interest before interactions occur
- Supporting handlers with crowd management, spacing, and flow of interactions
- Representing Blue Line Dogs professionally to First Responders, agency staff, and the public
- Communicating clearly with handlers, team leaders, or program leadership regarding concerns or observations
Secondary Responsibilities
When requested, Scouts may also:
- Assist with transporting equipment or supplies
- Support setup and breakdown of therapy dog visits or deployments
- Participate in training sessions, drills, and continuing education
Non-Responsibilities
To maintain clarity, safety, and program integrity:
- Scouts are not primary dog handlers
- Scouts may assist with temporary dog management only when directed by the handler
Professional Standards & Expectations
Scouts are expected to:
- Conduct themselves with professionalism, discretion, and respect
- Understand First Responder culture, stressors, and operational environments
- Maintain confidentiality and situational sensitivity
- Follow all program policies, safety protocols, and chain-of-command guidance
- Demonstrate calm, confident communication in high-stress situations
- Place safety, consent, and mission above convenience or personal interest
Why Scouts Matter
Scouts serve as the eyes, ears, and support system for Therapy Dog Teams. Their ability to anticipate needs, manage space, and protect both people and dogs allows Blue Line Dogs to deliver meaningful, safe, and effective support to First Responders and civilian personnel alike.
Scouts are a vital part of the team—quietly ensuring that every visit reflects the professionalism, care, and integrity that Blue Line Dogs stands
Our Affliations
The American Kennel Club
Blue Line Dogs uses an added measure of training and testing with the American Kennel Club Family Dog Program, an umbrella program designed to help dogs and their owners develop a lifelong bond and become well-socialized members of the community.
AKC Family Dog includes the 4 levels of the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program:
- AKC S.T.A.R.
Blue Line Dogs uses an added measure of training and testing with the American Kennel Club Family Dog Program, an umbrella program designed to help dogs and their owners develop a lifelong bond and become well-socialized members of the community.
AKC Family Dog includes the 4 levels of the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program:
- AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy
- Canine Good Citizen
- AKC Community Canine
- AKC Urban CGC.
Upon completion of several levels of Therapy Dog visits our dogs are awarded the AKC Therapy Dog title.
AKC Family Dog Program also includes other fun activities like
- AKC Trick Dog
- AKC FIT DOG
- AKC Temperament Test.
Teamwork takes work !
Puppies Assisting Wounded Service Members (PAWS)
PAWS, the Puppies Assisting Wounded Service Members for Veterans Therapy Act, was created to bring hope, healing, and companionship to veterans diagnosed with PTSD. This program recognizes the profound therapeutic impact that a trained service dog can have on a veteran’s life—helping to restore independence, resilience, and emotional wel
PAWS, the Puppies Assisting Wounded Service Members for Veterans Therapy Act, was created to bring hope, healing, and companionship to veterans diagnosed with PTSD. This program recognizes the profound therapeutic impact that a trained service dog can have on a veteran’s life—helping to restore independence, resilience, and emotional well-being.
Under the act, the Department of Veterans Affairs implemented a five-year pilot program to provide eligible veterans with the training and support needed to work with service dogs, empowering them to regain confidence and a sense of normalcy in daily life.
Recognizing their expertise, Blue Line Dogs trainers were personally requested to serve as Canine Training Consultants for the Los Angeles VA Service Area PAWS Program. Our trainers bring decades of experience in dog training, behavior, and therapy work, ensuring that each service dog and veteran pairing receives the highest level of care, skill-building, and support.
Through this partnership, Blue Line Dogs contributes not only to the technical training of service dogs but also to the emotional healing of veterans. Every dog trained, every veteran supported, and every moment of connection embodies our mission: to serve those who have given so much, honoring their sacrifice while helping them reclaim stability, hope, and joy.
The President's Volunteer Service Award
The President's Volunteer Service Award
In 2003, the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation established the President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) to celebrate the vital role that volunteers play in shaping the strength, resilience, and identity of our nation. Volunteers are the backbone of communities across America, dedicating their time, energy, and compa
In 2003, the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation established the President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) to celebrate the vital role that volunteers play in shaping the strength, resilience, and identity of our nation. Volunteers are the backbone of communities across America, dedicating their time, energy, and compassion to create meaningful change.
The PVSA recognizes individuals whose service positively impacts communities in every corner of the country, from bustling cities to quiet towns, and whose dedication inspires others to contribute, serve, and lead by example. Through their commitment, these volunteers exemplify the spirit of civic responsibility and the belief that one person’s efforts can ripple outward to touch countless lives.
The program continues today under the guidance of successive administrations, honoring those who selflessly apply their talents and time to tackle some of the nation’s most pressing challenges, from education and healthcare to public safety and community wellness.
Managed in partnership with Points of Light and led by AmeriCorps, the PVSA empowers Certifying Organizations, like Blue Line Dogs, to formally recognize their most outstanding volunteers—those whose contributions go above and beyond, demonstrating unwavering dedication, professionalism, and heart.
Through this recognition, we honor not only the volunteers themselves but also the profound difference that service, compassion, and commitment can make in the lives of others—reflecting the very best of what it means to serve.
Working together
Establishing a Successful Therapy Dog Program
YOUR AGENCY MAY BENEFIT IN HAVING YOUR OWN OR SHARED THERAPY DOG PROGRAM
Why reinvent the wheel?
Although not a new concept, a therapy dog program can be very expensive and increase liability to your agency. This is not a simple task to be taken lightly. There are many considerations beyond having a calm dog.
Whether you partner with an another local agency or organization or develop an in-house program, there are many pros and cons to each avenue.
We may assist you in providing information concerning
The Program Mission, Funding, Operational Costs, Insurance, Canine Selection and Procurement, Canine Training Requirements, Handler Selection and Training, Equipment, On-going Training Costs, Documentation, Training and Safety Protocols, Dog and Handler Mental Health Considerations
A clear roadmap is necessary for a successful, safe and productive program.
You are free to use, take or replicate any of our information.
Contact us to discuss your future Therapy Dog Team for your Agency.
Shared Agency Training Opportunities
The continuous training of both Handler and Dog is important to a safe and viable Therapy Dog Program.
Blue Line Dogs conducts continuous and on-going training for its dogs and Handlers. If your Agency currently has a Therapy Dog Team and would like additional training and challenges please contact us.
We can assist in training scenarios, tasks and most importantly Handler training. We train and test the dogs ability to negotiate most environments and situations.
We believe in Handler, Dog, Team approach to training "Real Training, for Real Dogs, for Real Life!"
Handlers are given course work and practical applications in dog handling skills and knowledge. This training is more than just holding a leash. Training includes Pet First Aid and CPR, Psychological First Aid and understanding on how to handle a working dog safely.
Testing includes the AKC Canine Good Citizen Program.
All training and testing is documented to reduce liability to your agency.