The Knoxville Fire Department has a therapy dog Glory. Glory is a female German Shepard the department deploys in crisis situations. The dog operates out of Knoxville but she is used to help around the area in crisis situations.

There are a lot of police dogs used to help out, but very few fire dogs according to handler Justin Smith, a Batallion Chief of EMS, for the Knoxville Fire Department. Smith has been employed by the Knoxville Fire Department for the past two years.

Glory and Smith will be headed to Columbus, Ohio for training next week for nine day. Very few fire dogs go through this intense training. Smith says Glory has what is needed to be specially trained, temperament, calm and attentive are just a few of the qualities Glory has going for her.

Smith tells KNIA/KRLS how dogs like Glory can be helpful, “We have learned that dogs, or canines can help directly with some of these crises inside our departments and people generally.”

Knoxville Fire Chief Cal Wyman said Glory is one of two crisis dogs in the state. Knoxville has one and the Iowa State Patrol has the other one. According to Smith, the dog has a sense of when someone is hurting and needs therapy.