WILMA October 2021

Page 12

photo c/o Wilmington Fire Department

STATION DOG GETS TO WORK

T

The Wilmington Fire Department recently launched a pilot program with the paws4people foundation to have a crisis response facility dog at the fire station off Eastwood Road. RHYS (pronounced Reese), who goes home after his shift with his firefighter handler, is part of the department’s mental health and wellness program, officials say. RHYS also provides comfort in emergency situations, both at the department and at the scene of an emergency in the community. RHYS was named in honor of Army Sergeant Rhys Klasno, who was killed during combat operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2007. paws4people was founded in 1999 by Kyria Henry Whisenhunt, a former WILMA Women to Watch Award winner.

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WILMA

OCTOBER 2021


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