ABSTRACT
Working as a handler–animal team for crisis or disaster response is not as rigorous as search-and-rescue work, but it can be quite stressful and demanding. Therapy dogs can be especially helpful as part of a crisis and disaster response team. They offer a sense of normalcy to a very abnormal situation. Special precautions must be undertaken to ensure the health and safety of the therapy dog in a crisis or disaster situation. Given the intensity and duration of such a situation, the dog may need more short breaks during the working day such as brief walks away from the crisis or disaster scene if possible and brief naps. The immediate aftermath of a crisis or disaster is not the time to do in-depth, insight- oriented counseling. Crisis and disaster response counseling is very different from traditional talk therapy. Keys to effective crisis and disaster response counseling include preparation and organization as well as ongoing coordination and supervision.
