FFD welcomes Crisis Response Dog to the team

Published on July 09, 2025

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - The Fayetteville Fire Department is excited to welcome a new member to the team, GRIFFITH. Through the paws4people Foundation, GRIFFITH is a Crisis Response Dog trained to perform tasks to mitigate stress and anxiety in emergency situations both at the place of work or at the scene of the emergency. 

Funded by BowenStrong, the Fayetteville Professional Fire Fighters Association and the Fayetteville Firefighters Benevolent Association, GRIFFITH will support emergency responders by helping them decompress after tough calls, ease station tension, lower anxiety levels, reduce long-term PTSD impacts and boost overall heart health. 

GRIFFITH and his handler have 50 hours of training. He will be assigned to Fayetteville Fire Station 5 on A-shift. GRIFFITH will work at the fire station on his shift and go home with his firefighter handler when off duty. 

GRIFFITH will be officially part of the team on Thursday, July 10 when he is honored with his official Crisis Response Dog vest during the vesting ceremony at 4 p.m. at Fayetteville Fire Station 5, located at 3040 Boone Trail. There is an opportunity for media to meet GRIFFITH during the ceremony. 

Two more Crisis Response Dogs are currently in the plans for the Fayetteville Fire Department to ensure every shift has that support. 

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