Crisis Canines of the Midlands is receiving grant funding for the first time from the Jasper County United Way’s Fall Fundraising Campaign. The Colfax non-profit trains Crisis Response Therapy Dogs for first responder agencies. Jasper County United Way Director Jessica Lowe Vokes says the dogs have a proven, positive effect on people in stressful situations. 

“The animal has this very calming situation. The program is throughout the state, and very well known. But we are excited because our grant money is going to train additional animals for Jasper County.”

Lowe Vokes says the Newton Fire Department and the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department are among the area agencies that have dogs trained by Crisis Canines of the Midlands. The Colfax non-profit is working towards building a training facility on property near the Jasper County Law Enforcement Center, and Jasper County Conservation Department Nature Center, which is under construction. 

The Jasper County United Way released the list of recipients receiving grants from the fall fundraising campaign, but did not disclose the amount of each grant.