Freddie, a 4-year-old goldendoodle, is making a big difference in the lives of first responders at American Medical Response (AMR) in Springfield. As an emotional support therapy dog, Freddie provides a calming presence in the often-stressful workplace. He greets people in the hallways, visits classrooms, and even helps teach responders how to take a dog’s pulse. Freddie’s presence is especially appreciated before important debriefing sessions after a major incident.
In addition to his work at AMR, Freddie also heads out to schools and community events. He’s visited Baystate Medical Center and gotten to know the therapy dog there. He’s good with children and likes to visit schools.
On the serious side of their work, Freddie and his handler, Melissa Piscatelli, respond to mass casualty incidents, critical incident stress management debriefings, natural disasters, and large-scale events. They recently headed to a Police Department on Long Island, where officers suffered a loss.
Freddie’s calming presence and unconditional love are a valuable asset to the first responders at AMR. He helps them to cope with the stress of their jobs and provides a much-needed distraction from the often-difficult situations they face.
