A Newton Fire Department Captain and Crisis Response Therapy K9, Kota spent time at the Iowa State Fair promoting the use of Crisis Response Therapy Dogs. According to Fire Captain Ryan Volk, he and Kota interacted with over 100 people in just a couple of hours in Des Moines at the Fair. He says all the responses were positive, and there were some first responders they met who showed interest in introducing the program to their departments.

The Iowa Attorney General’s Office has partnered with Crisis Canines of the Midlands in Colfax to advocate for the deployment of Animal Assisted Crisis Response Therapy Dogs and handlers in the event that crises should occur anywhere in the state, such as natural disasters and school shootings. Crisis Canines of the Midlands is also working to add crisis support for juveniles in courtrooms to their assistance program.