This Iowa Pooch Has a Very Important Job Ahead: Help Him Do It!

Usually, when we ask you to show a little love to a local pooch, there is a pretty good chance that dog is looking for a forever home. This time, that's not the case. Tucker doesn't need a home. He already has one. However, what Tucker does need is a little help from his friends, neighbors, and fellow dog lovers to cross the finish line in his training to become a Crisis Response Canine.

Credit: Response Paws of Iowa

Tucker is currently training with Response Paws of Iowa, and his big goal is to become a nationally certified Crisis Response Canine through Crisis Response Canines, an organization based in New Jersey. Once he completes that training and certification, Tucker will be ready to help provide comfort and emotional support to people during some of the most difficult moments they may ever experience.

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Things like house fires, traumatic events, abuse cases, natural disasters, and other critical incidents. While Tucker can't fix what happened, his job will be to help people feel a little less alone when they are going through it. Tucker is just about finished with his training. That's why Response Paws is reaching out.

Credit: Response Paws of Iowa

The organization is making a fundraising push because Tucker is nearing the final stretch of his training. The organization says it has already raised more than $8,000, putting the campaign over halfway toward the money needed to help Tucker become the first Crisis Response Canine certified through CRC in Northeast Iowa.

About $2,500 is needed for travel and final certification training in the New Jersey area. Another approximately $2,500 will go toward equipment, ongoing expenses, and other items Tucker will need once he begins his response work. There are also continued training costs along the way. That's where non-profit Response Paws is hoping the community can lend a helping hand for this paw.

Credit: Response Paws of Iowa

Tucker will be partnered with the Bremer County Emergency Management office as he works toward becoming nationally certified. Once certified, he could assist with responses in Bremer County and surrounding communities. Through CRC, he could also be called upon to help elsewhere in Iowa and beyond when requested.

Here's another important part of Tucker's story: his crisis response services will be provided to the community at no cost. That means donations are a big part of making the program possible. So, if you are looking for a way to help an Iowa dog who's doing something pretty special, Tucker could use a little boost toward the finish line; make a donation online through the organization's fundraising page here. You can also help the old-fashioned way. Simply, tell somebody about Tucker or share this article.

Credit: Response Paws of Iowa

We help a lot of pooches find homes in radio; it's less often we get to help one to a "higher calling." Let's get Tucker ready to go out into the world and help people when they need a little comfort most. With support, I'm sure he can prove to everyone he's a very good boy, in no time at all!