Adrienne Middlebrook

More than 300 dogs helped search for survivors on 9/11. In fact, the last person rescued at ground zero was found by a search and rescue dog. The search was mentally and physically taxing on the dogs, who walked across huge piles of debris and smoldering rubble. As the days went by, dogs became sad when they were no longer finding people alive. So, to keep their spirits up, their handlers staged mock rescues. They would have people hide under debris for dogs to find. This boosted the dogs’ morale as they continued their work. In addition to rescue dogs, therapy dogs were brought to the scene to provide comfort to emotionally drained and traumatized police officers and firefighters. Dogs are the best thing in the world and we do not deserve them.