By Ian Swaby, Observer:
At a time when the community is recovering from the impacts of three successive hurricanes, the Sarasota County Fire Department has someone lending a helping hand, and paw.
Firefighter Mark Maiure said at the time of each of the storms, the demands of the role were extensive.
“As soon as they released us at night, we were out running calls and didn’t come back,” he said.
However, since August, a partnership between the Sarasota County Fire Department and the Humane Society of Sarasota County has been offering an additional way to uplift firefighters’ moods.
“(The dogs) are always showing up, and they’re give, give give and nothing but a bundle of love,” said Paramedic Mary Kate Rea.
Hannah Howard, communication coordinator with the Humane Society, describes the organization as “Pretty much on call for (the fire department) all the time.”
Read the full story here.
