Hands-on drills at Seminole County (Fla.) Fire Department expose service dogs to real emergency sights and sounds

The firehouse is loud, busy and full of movement — exactly the kind of environment service dogs need to be able to handle.

Earlier this year, the Do Unto Others (DUO) Assistance Dogs training team joined Seminole County Fire Department (SCFD) crews at Station 27 for a controlled introduction to first response sights and sounds.

The DUO program trains animals for people with disabilities and special needs, including children with autism and veterans managing PTSD. Familiarity with emergency-response environments helps the dogs remain steady when assisting clients who may face stressful or unpredictable situations.

Firefighter Evan Dentz suited up in full bunker gear and SCBA, giving dogs and handlers a close look at what emergency personnel look and sound like during an incident. The dogs explored rescue units, listened to station tones and experienced siren tests at close range.

Trainers noted that even Banjo, a 15-week-old Labrador Retriever, remained composed as alarms and activity filled the bay. The session allowed dogs to practice staying focused despite noise, movement and new stimuli — skills essential for reliable service work.

“In the fire service, we love when both humans and dogs visit our stations,” Dentz said. “Any opportunity to support service animals that will make a difference in someone’s life is time well spent.”

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