Providing Real Training for Real Dogs for Real Life
About Us
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Our founders
"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.
Founders’ Experience
The founders of Blue Line Dogs are retired law enforcement professionals with more than 60 years of combined service at a major metropolitan California Police Department. Their careers included Patrol Operations, Investigations (Sexual Assault, Child Exploitation, Homicide, Burglary), and Leadership and Training roles. With firsthand experience in the field and as supervisors, they understand the pressures faced by First Responders and the need for comprehensive wellness support. The founders have trained Patrol Officers, Investigators, Dispatchers, Correctional Officers, and Tactical Officers in crisis response and mental health awareness as In-Service and CA POST Instructors. They were also instrumental in developing autism training courses for law enforcement and establishing an Autism Support Group for officers.
Upon Retirement they have returned to duty as In addition to serving as Reserve Level I Police Officers and Volunteers.
Canine Training Expertise
Blue Line Dogs also brings more than 45 years of professional dog training experience. Our lead trainer is a 1981 graduate of the United States Air Force’s 341st Training Squadron at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas—recognized worldwide for preparing military working dog handlers and canines.
All Blue Line Dogs trainers receive extensive formal training, maintain continuing education, and serve as American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Evaluators. Several members also hold certifications as Pet First Aid and CPR Instructors, ensuring teams go well beyond the basics in preparedness and care.
Program Approach
Recognizing the importance of Psychological First Aid (PFA), Blue Line Dogs incorporates Therapy Dogs into trusted, well-rounded wellness programs tailored to First Responders.
Through partnerships with agencies, Blue Line Dogs regularly visits facilities, participates in wellness training days, and provides on-scene support when appropriate. Civilian volunteers are carefully vetted and trained in confidentiality, First Aid (human and pet), basic dog handling, and the FEMA Incident Command System (ICS) to ensure professionalism and reliability.
Our Commitment
By combining decades of law enforcement expertise with dog training excellence, Blue Line Dogs delivers a Therapy Dog program designed to meet the unique needs of First Responders. Our mission is to bring comfort, resilience, and support to those who dedicate their lives to protecting others. The job of the First Responder is rewarding but can be stressful and very challenging. Working as a First Responder can take a toll on those who respond and see people in crisis on a daily basis. Addressing the mental and physical well-being of First Responders, both Sworn and Civilian is paramount for continued quality to service to the community.
Our team
Our Dogs
What It Takes to Be a Therapy Dog
Not every dog is suited for the rewarding work of a Therapy Dog. These dogs must be more than just friendly companions—they need a special combination of traits and training to succeed in this role.
Therapy Dogs must be:
- Obedient, consistent, and reliable
- Friendly, gentle, and even-tempered
- Confident and resilient in new situations
- Comfortable meeting new people and working in stressful environments
- Focused and not easily distracted
- Above all—dogs who love people and enjoy being hugged, petted, and embraced
Each Blue Line Dog undergoes rigorous training and conditioning in a variety of environments. Dogs are constantly proofed, observed, and field-tested to ensure they remain at the top of their game.
Every Therapy Dog Team must successfully complete the program’s basic canine course as well as the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test. Many dogs go further, earning advanced certifications such as AKC Urban Dog, AKC Trick Dog, and AKC Community Canine.
Each dog is owned and maintained by their handler, who takes responsibility for the care, training, and expenses involved. Together, handler and dog form a team—and at Blue Line Dogs, we know that teamwork takes work.
Our Therapy Dog Teams stand ready to provide comfort, connection, and resilience wherever they are needed most.
Our Volunteer Dog Handlers
It takes a special person to be a Specialty Dog Handler.
Becoming a Volunteer 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 Prevention 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
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.
Teamwork in Training
Handlers are an important part of the training experience and their input is always solicited.
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.
Our affliations
The American Kennel Club
Blue Line Dogs uses an added measure of training and testing with the AKC 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 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 also includes other fun activities like AKC Trick Dog, AKC FIT DOG and the AKC Temperament Test.
Teamwork takes work !
The President's Volunteer Service Award
In 2003, the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation founded the President’s Volunteer Service Award to recognize the important role of volunteers in America’s strength and national identity.
This award honors individuals whose service positively impacts communities in every corner of the nation and inspires those around them to take action, too.
The PVSA has continued under each administration, honoring the volunteers who are using their time and talents to solve some of the toughest challenges facing our nation.
Led by the AmeriCorps and managed in partnership with Points of Light, this program allows Certifying Organizations to recognize their most exceptional volunteers.
Blue Line Dogs is a PVSA certifying agency and recognized the service and dedication of its members each year.
Puppies Assisting Wounded Service Members (PAWS)
PAWS, or the Puppies Assisting Wounded Service members for Veterans Therapy Act, is a program created to provide service dogs to eligible veterans diagnosed with PTSD. The bill, as passed, required the Department of Veteran Affairs to implement a 5-year pilot program to provide canine training to eligible veterans.
Blue Line Dogs Trainers were sought out and requested to serve as Canine Training Consultants to the Los Angeles VA Service Area PAWS Program
By and For first responders
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.