OCFA’s newest dog ready to support firefighters after tough work
By Orange County on April 11, 2023
Orange County Fire Authority Firefighter Wade Munson and his niece Dela Rae Jackson pet Pax, after the therapy dog was introduced at OCFA headquarters in Irvine, CA on Monday, April 10, 2023. Pax is OCFA’s first peer support K-9 and is trained to support first responders. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Orange County Fire Authority board member Phil Bacerra gets a kiss from Pax after the therapy dog was introduced at OCFA headquarters in Irvine, CA on Monday, April 10, 2023. Pax is OCFA’s first peer support K-9 and is trained to support first responders. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Orange County Fire Authority Firefighter Wade Munson sits with Pax, before the therapy dog is introduced at OCFA headquarters in Irvine, CA on Monday, April 10, 2023. Pax is OCFA’s first peer support K-9 and is trained to support first responders. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Orange County Fire Authority’s newest recruit won’t be laying fire hoses or rushing into burning buildings, but will be comforting firefighters when they come out of those buildings.
Pax, a 3-year-old Labrador retriever, is trained to support first responders during and after crisis situations. He’s paired with Firefighter Wade Munson, a member of the OCFA’s Peer Support Team who is the agency’s first to train as a canine peer support specialist.
“The addition of K-9 Pax and firefighter Munson enhance an already robust array of services that our Behavioral Health & Wellness Program provides,” OCFA Fire Chief Brian Fennessy said, emphasizing the firefighters’ mental health is a top priority of the department.
Pax was donated by Thor’s Hope Foundation and trained by Performance K9 Training.
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