Comfort in times of Crisis
The mission of Hope Animal-Assisted Crisis Response is to provide comfort and encouragement through animalassisted support to individuals affected by crises and disasters.
HOPE Animal-Assisted Crisis Response is an allvolunteer, national, non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization. Our purpose is to comfort people after traumatic events through interactions with our dogs. This includes first responders performing under stressful situations. We provide crisis response services to people affected by crises or disasters regardless of race, religion, citizenship, economic status or sexual orientation.
Jobs for Dogs Service dogs Working dogs: Police, Search, Rescue, Detection Comfort dogs: Animal-Assisted Crisis Response (AACR) Animal-Assisted Activities/Therapy (AAA/T)
Differences between AAA/T and AACR Animal-Assisted Activities/Therapy (AAA/T) is a prerequisite for Animal-Assisted Crisis Response (AACR) AAA/T teams can be trained for AACR. Through AACR, people suffering traumatic events experience the same healing benefits proven in AAA/T.
AAA/T 1. Scheduled in Advance 2. Travel by Familiar Means 3. Routine and Predictable 4. Calm Visits AACR 1. No Advanced Warning 2. Varied Means of Travel 3. Chaotic with Loud Sounds, Bad Odors, Debris 4. Crisis Scenes with Unpredictable, Intense Emotions
AAA/T AACR 5. Support Staff Available 6. Visits Less Than Two Hours 7. Safe Environment 8. Not Physically Demanding 5. Self Sufficient 6. Visits Can Last Several Days 7. Work with Other Teams for Safety 8. Call-outs Physically Demanding
AAA/T AACR 9. Minimal Costs 10. Appropriate for a Wide Variety of Animals 9. Can be Expensive 10. Dogs Only
More than 200 teams nationwide
We are a member of National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters and serve on NVOAD s Emotional and Spiritual Care Committee. We are active members in state VOADs. HOPE AACR was the first AACR organization in the country and co-wrote the AACR National Standards.
National VOAD, State VOAD, Crisis Response Advocates
Since 2001, HOPE AACR teams have responded to the aftermath of crises and disasters, from individual traumas to large scale emergencies: Terrorist attacks Transportation accidents School shootings Mudslides Wildfire base camps and shelters Hurricane and flood support centers Wounded soldier encampments Memorial services for lost emergency responders Fallen officer services
Teams have worked with local and national response agencies: Federal Emergency Management Agency Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters National Organization for Victim Assistance American Red Cross Salvation Army Fire departments Law enforcement agencies Schools
HOPE AACR teams are self-sufficient in food and lodging and deploy only at the request of agencies in charge of or supporting a disaster response. HOPE AACR teams respond without charge.
HOPE AACR teams must participate in a local animal-assisted activity/therapy program. (1 year, 12 visits minimum) Applicants are screened for suitability for crisis response work. Qualified applicants attend three days of intensive certification training to the requirements of the Animal-Assisted Crisis Response National Standard, including Crisis/disaster types/phases. Stress management and self-care. Crisis communication skills. Psychological first aid. Crisis response protocols. Canine behavior and welfare. Field training with emergency responders.
Teams complete field training with emergency responders and must be able to perform in physically demanding, intense emotional and environmental situations. Canines must develop resilience to stress, transportation modes, unfamiliar and alarming sights, sounds, smells, activities, emergency vehicles and gear, conditioning to a wide range of emotional and behavioral responses, acceptance of diverse and high density populations. Handlers must understand canine body language, and recognize/prevent/manage canine stress.
Three-day intensive seminar
Experience with field responders
All types of transportation
All types of environments
Certification and continuing education requirements Complete FEMA Incident Command System training. Maintain Red Cross First Aid and CPR certification. Complete Animal First Aid and CPR training. Meet annual goals for continuing education and participation in crisis response drills.
Certification and continuing education
Crisis response drills
UMass Full Scale Shelter Exercise
UMass Full Scale Shelter Exercise
MEMA-Sponsored Pet Health & Safety Fair
World Trade Center Ground Zero 2001
Virginia Tech Shootings 2005
Hurricane Katrina 2005
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors 2010
Superstorm Sandy 2012
Prescott Arizona Wild Fires 2013
Colorado Floods 2013
Veterans Honor Flights 2013
Washington Navy Yard Shootings 2013
Washington Navy Yard Shootings 2013
US Navy Memorial for Shooting Victims 2013
Washington Mudslide 2014
Revere, MA Tornado 2014
It is remarkable to observe the special emotional comfort and support that our dogs bring to individuals affected by crisis, to their families, to disaster response personnel, to other affected members of our community, and to us.
First and Second MRC Psychological First Aid Presentations
Navy Distinguished Service Award 2014
Navy Distinguished Service Award 2014
Call on us! HOPE Animal-Assisted Crisis Response does not self-deploy. We deploy only at the request of agencies in charge of or supporting a disaster response. Remember us during crises and disasters. Call on us wherever emotional and spiritual care is helpful for survivors and responders. Toll free: 877-HOPE-K9s
Comfort in times of Crisis