Paws With A Cause showers ‘puppy love’ on EMS workers for National EMS Week

May 17, 2023

Deann Hurn, of Hudsonville, is silhouetted as she walks near ambulances with Avery as part of Paws With A Cause (PAWS) puppy training at Life EMS Ambulance's Grand Rapids station, 1275 Cedar St. NE, on Wednesday, May 24, 2023. PAWS trainers acclimated future assistance dogs to the sights, sounds and smells of ambulances to help better prepare them for emergency situations. (Cory Morse | MLive.com)Cory Morse | MLive.com

GRAND RAPIDS, MI– The LifeEMS Ambulance building was filled with barks and furry friends who were learning their way around an ambulance and bringing smiles to the faces of emergency medical workers Wednesday.

Paws With A Cause and LifeEMS Ambulance have been partnering for the last 17 years for their mutual benefit. Their meet-ups allow the assistance dogs in training to have a new experience and LifeEMS gets to celebrate National EMS Week with cute puppies.

National EMS Week is May 21-27 this year, celebrating and honoring such hometown heroes as paramedics and EMTs who work on the frontlines of emergency healthcare.

Assistance dogs in training, all less than a year old, poked around the ambulances, taking in the smells, hearing the sounds of the stretchers coming in and out and even getting to see and hear the sirens and lights.

The experience was part of preparing the dogs for placement with individuals who have challenges as chronic seizures, restricted mobility and balance issues. Foster trainers brought the dogs to LifeEMS on May 24 to expose them to experiences they may have while assisting people who are in and out of healthcare often.

Boulder sits for John Stephan, of Grand Rapids, as part of Paws With A Cause (PAWS) puppy training at Life EMS Ambulance's Grand Rapids station, 1275 Cedar St. NE, on Wednesday, May 24, 2023. PAWS trainers acclimated future assistance dogs to the sights, sounds and smells of ambulances to help better prepare them for emergency situations. (Cory Morse | MLive.com)Cory Morse | MLive.com

That training will help the future service dogs be successful, exposing them to different surfaces, smells and sounds that could be overwhelming, said Megan Degraff, a foster puppy trainer for Paws with a Cause in Wayland.

"It's great that they have this positive experience now so that down the road, it won't be so scary for them, and they can continue to work with their client and not be thrown off by all the different things going on," Degraff said.

Megan McCoy brought her 14th foster puppy, Bumper, to the training.

McCoy received Bumper when the pup was 8 weeks old, just like all the other dogs she has fostered. She said that Paws With A Cause provides step-by-step learning on how to connect with a dog to make them a learned and loving service dog.

McCoy said Bumper has learned 14 commands and is on her way to learn seven more. McCoy has brought Bumper into many situations to interact with others, but can't seem to replace the experience the dog gets in the ambulance garage.

"Our job as a puppy raiser is to familiarize the dog with as many social situations as possible, right?" McCoy said. "I do the library, the bank, the hair salon and doctor's appointments. But (I can't) randomly walk into the right EMS station and say ‘Can my dog shed her fur all over your place and (you) set up a couple sirens and lights?’...This is just a great opportunity for the dog to get that experience."

Megan McCoy, of Delton, walks Bumper around an ambulance as part of Paws With A Cause (PAWS) puppy training at Life EMS Ambulance's Grand Rapids station, 1275 Cedar St. NE, on Wednesday, May 24, 2023. PAWS trainers acclimated future assistance dogs to the sights, sounds and smells of ambulances to help better prepare them for emergency situations. (Cory Morse | MLive.com)Cory Morse | MLive.com

McCoy said Bumper did great listening to commands and staying calm despite the sirens.

LifeEMS Ambulance President Mark Meijer said that on occasion, ambulances do have to transport someone with a service dog. The animal needs to be comfortable riding in an ambulance or wheelchair van for EMTs and paramedics to do their job properly, he said.

Giving the dogs free rein of the ambulances allows them to learn at their own pace, while also entertaining and relaxing the EMS team whose work is stressful, Meijer said.

"They love it, because again, it's very unique," Meijer said. "For some of the dogs, they’ve had a lot of other experiences, but it's their first health care exposure. It really has been a great asset to them with the noises and the lights and sirens."

Paramedics Brittney Losey, top, and Alicia Saenz, left, greet Yargo with trainer Glenn Gamsby as part of Paws With A Cause (PAWS) puppy training at Life EMS Ambulance's Grand Rapids station, 1275 Cedar St. NE, on Wednesday, May 24, 2023. PAWS trainers acclimated future assistance dogs to the sights, sounds and smells of ambulances to help better prepare them for emergency situations. (Cory Morse | MLive.com)Cory Morse | MLive.com

LifeEMS Paradmedic Keone Bareng said she appreciates the partnership that benefits the community and the workers.

"It's just great to be part of a company that really likes to do this kind of thing, really likes to train, and really likes to get our associates involved," Bareng said. "It's great to have a company that is willing to reach out and willing to invite folks in to experience."

With treats given out for every sit and stay, the paramedics were able to love on the dogs to destress. The puppies, meanwhile, were learning how to ride in an ambulance without wanting to stick their heads out the window.

"It makes for a nice environment," Paramedic Max Reiker said. "Who doesn't like animals? You just get to see them and pet them and interact. I think especially tied in with EMS Week is nice too because…you get to unwind. You can see the dogs, hang out with the dogs, get some food and relax. It just makes for a more social environment."

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