Canine first responders bring calm, peace to those in crisis

Bishop Joseph A. Williams and diocesan priests joined community leaders and first responders at an annual appreciation luncheon for Crisis Response Canines on September 18. The event, held at Adelphia Restaurant, brought together 400 attendees to network and remember first responders who died during the past year.

Crisis Response Canines is a nonprofit based in Turnersville that deploys canine teams to support people during tragedies. John Hunt, a co-founder, chief operating officer, and parishioner at Our Lady of Hope Parish in Blackwood, described the dogs as non-judgmental supporters for those in crisis. Hunt and his canine, Axel, previously deployed to Uvalde, Texas, following the May 24, 2022, mass shooting at Robb Elementary School to assist families, students, and first responders at memorials and prayer services.