Crisis Canines of the Midlands

09/05/2026

September is National Su***de Prevention Awareness Month. 🩵💜

Behind every badge, uniform, radio, and emergency call is a person.

For many people, the hardest moments are the ones no one else sees.

First responders spend their days running toward situations most of us hope we never have to face. They witness tragedy, carry difficult memories, make split-second decisions, and experience things that can stay with them long after the call is over.

That’s where Max comes in. 🐾

Paired with a first responder he responds alongside them to crisis situations, having a unique ability to offer comfort without judgment. Creating a connection, providing a sense of calm, and sometimes opening the door to a conversation that may not have happened otherwise.

There for the firefighter coming back from a difficult call.
The law enforcement officer processing something they’ve witnessed.
The dispatcher carrying the weight of the calls they’ve taken.
The first responder who just needs a moment to breathe.

Most of the time he offers a quiet place to sit. Sometimes it’s providing a much-needed moment of laughter or normalcy or a wagging tail and a reason to smile.

But our mission doesn’t stop with our first responders.

We believe in supporting our entire community. ❤️

Max is always available to provide comfort and support to community members experiencing difficult or stressful situations, grief, trauma, crisis, or simply needing a little extra connection.

Because even those not wearing a uniform can need comfort.

It’s about meeting people where they are, listening when they need to be heard, and reminding them that they don't have to face the hardest moments alone.

You never know what someone is carrying behind the smile you see.

Max may be the one with the wagging tail, but at the heart of what we do is something much bigger:

Connection. Compassion. Comfort. Hope.

During National Su***de Prevention Awareness Month, we want to remind everyone that you matter.

To every first responder who continues to show up for others—we see you, we appreciate you, and we’re here for you.

And to every member of our community who may be struggling—we’re here for you, too.

Supporting those who serve and the community they serve, one paw at a time. 🐾🩵💜

09/04/2026

MercyOne's crisis response K-9, Abby, turned two on Thursday, marking her special day with love, cuddles, and a "Birthday Girl" bandana.

09/03/2026

09/03/2026

09/01/2026

09/01/2026

Thanks to the Belle Plaine Police Department for the invite to the Kids Safety Fair! Despite the rain these 3 got plenty of love from the attendees.

08/31/2026

08/28/2026

08/28/2026

"Crisis K9 Abby made a difference when I needed it most." 💚🐾

Meet Katelyn, an EMS dispatcher at MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center who experiences firsthand the highs, lows and emotional weight that come with helping coordinate emergency care every day.

As an EMS dispatcher, Katelyn is often the voice behind the scenes during some of life's most critical moments. Her days are filled with Air Med flights, cardiac arrests, traumas, appointments, discharges and everything in between. While she wishes she could say the job is stress-free, the reality is quite the opposite.

One particularly difficult day, a series of events left Katelyn feeling emotionally drained. Searching for a moment to regroup, she sat quietly on the floor of her office, trying to process everything that had happened.

That's when Abby arrived.

The familiar jingle of Abby's collar echoed down the hallway. The golden retriever trotted into the room, spotted Katelyn sitting on the floor and, without hesitation, climbed right into her lap.

"Instantly, I was grounded by the puppy pressure," Katelyn recalled. "The stress and frustration melted away, and I felt genuine joy. I didn't know I needed saved that day, but Abby did."

For those working in EMS and healthcare, stress and burnout are all too common. That's why Abby's role is so important. Whether she's comforting team members after a difficult call or bringing peace to patients and families, her presence serves as a reminder that caregivers are human, too.

Katelyn doesn't often get to witness the patient side of Abby's work, but she knows the difference Abby made in her own life that day.

"Thank you, Abby, for bringing me joy in a moment I didn't know joy could even exist. Your presence helps me do my job better and helps me be a better colleague to my team."

Some heroes wear uniforms. Some have four paws and a wagging tail!