201 S. Anaheim Blvd.
Suite #300
Anaheim, CA 92805
Tel: (714) 765-4000
Fax: (714) 765-4008
www.anaheim.net
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT
DATE: APRIL 7, 2026
FROM: FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF LETTER OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE
CITY OF ANAHEIM AND THE ANAHEIM FIREFIGHTERS
ASSOCIATION, LOCAL NO. 2899 TO ESTABLISH A PEER
SUPPORT CANINE PROGRAM
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): YES ITEM # 10
GOVERNMENT CODE § 84308 APPLIES: NO
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council take the following actions:
1. By Resolution, approve a Letter of Understanding (“LOU”) between the City of Anaheim and the Anaheim Firefighters Association, Local No. 2899 (“AFA”) to establish a peer support canine program for the Anaheim Fire & Rescue Department. The LOU will modify the existing Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) between the AFA and the City of Anaheim, in effect from June 20, 2025 through June 19, 2027; and,
2. By Motion:
a. Approve the establishment of a Peer Support Canine Program within Anaheim Fire & Rescue to provide mental health and wellness support to department personnel through the use of a trained therapy dog; b. Authorize the Fire Chief to enter into partnership agreements with qualified canine therapy organizations for the acquisition, training, and placement of a peer support dog;
c. Authorize the Fire Chief to designate a department member as the primary canine handler and to implement program policies and procedures; and, d. Amend the FY 2025/26 Anaheim Fire & Rescue budget in the amount of $9,517.
DISCUSSION:
Background and Need
Firefighters and emergency medical personnel face extraordinary occupational stress that places them at elevated risk for mental health challenges. National research demonstrates that approximately 20 percent of firefighters and paramedics meet the criteria for post- traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at some point during their careers, compared to 6.8 Peer Support Canine Program for Anaheim Fire & Rescue
April 7, 2026
percent lifetime risk in the general population. Recent studies indicate that about 40 percent of professional firefighters are experiencing clinically significant levels of anxiety and depression.
The suicide rate for male firefighters in the United States is estimated at 33.8 per 100,000, nearly double the rate of 17.8 per 100,000 for working-age adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, first responders are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty. The Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance has verified over 2,100 firefighter suicides since 1880, with 95 percent occurring between 2000 and 2022.
Anaheim Fire & Rescue currently employs 236 sworn personnel who respond to over 43,000 calls for service annually. Our firefighters routinely face traumatic incidents including structure fires, vehicle extrications, medical emergencies, pediatric cases, and fatalities. While the department has implemented peer support teams, chaplain services, and 24/7 mental health resources, leadership recognizes that the persistent stigma around mental health in the fire service creates barriers to sworn personnel seeking help.
Peer Support Canine Programs in the Fire Service
Fire departments nationwide are increasingly implementing peer support canine programs as an evidence-based approach to improving firefighter mental health. These programs differ from traditional therapy dog visits by providing consistent, on-demand access to a trained dog stationed within the department, eliminating the need for personnel to explicitly request mental health assistance.
Regional fire agencies that have successfully implemented a peer support canine program include:
Los Angeles County Fire Department operates a peer support program with seven support canines serving over 5,200 emergency responders across 176 fire stations.
Los Angeles Fire Department launched their Canine Therapy Program in December 2020 as part of their Behavioral Health Division. The program provides therapy dog support to all 3,500 LAFD members and has been expanded due to demonstrated effectiveness.
Orange County Fire Authority developed a comprehensive Canine Peer Support program in early 2023, with a designated canine peer support specialist who brings the therapy dog to fire stations, dispatchers, and personnel following extended shifts or critical incidents.
San Bernardino County Fire Protection District implemented their K-9 Support Dog Program as a proactive crisis response and mental health therapy initiative to improve behavioral wellness among department members.
Peer Support Canine Program for Anaheim Fire & Rescue
April 7, 2026
Evidence-Based Benefits
Research by UCLA Health and peer-reviewed studies published in Frontiers in Psychology have documented substantial mental and physical health benefits from animal- assisted therapy:
Reduces blood pressure by up to 10 points and decreases heart disease risk. Triggers release of oxytocin and serotonin, hormones that elevate mood and promote relaxation.
Lowers cortisol levels and provides immediate stress relief. Reduces subjectively experienced stress and anxiety following traumatic events. Decreases feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Creates a non-judgmental presence that encourages personnel to process emotions.
Critically, peer support canines provide therapeutic benefits without requiring personnel to formally request mental health assistance, thereby reducing stigma and increasing utilization. The presence of a therapy dog in the fire station creates a "sense of normalcy and comfort" in an otherwise regimented environment, according to fire service research.
Proposed Program Structure
The Anaheim Fire & Rescue Peer Support Canine Program will acquire one professionally trained therapy dog through partnership with a qualified organization such as K9s for Warriors, Paws4People Foundation, Patriotic Service Dog Foundation, or Working Dogs for Warriors. These organizations provide extensively trained dogs at no cost or reduced cost to fire departments, with dogs having completed 6-8 months of specialized obedience and crisis response training.
The department will designate a primary handler from among current personnel, preferably a firefighter/paramedic or company officer with an interest in behavioral health.
The handler will complete specialized training with the therapy dog and will be responsible for the dog's care, deployment to stations following critical incidents, participation in debriefings, and routine station visits.
The therapy dog will be available to all Anaheim Fire & Rescue personnel, including firefighters, paramedics, dispatchers, and support staff. The program will operate under the oversight of the department's behavioral health resources and will complement, not replace, existing peer support teams and professional counseling services.
The dog will maintain a regular schedule visiting fire stations while also being available for rapid deployment following mass-casualty incidents, line-of-duty deaths, or other critical events. The dog will return home with the handler after shifts, allowing necessary rest and maintaining work-life balance for the animal.
Peer Support Canine Program for Anaheim Fire & Rescue
April 7, 2026
Implementation Timeline
Following Council approval, staff will immediately initiate partnerships with qualified therapy dog organizations, with anticipated dog placement within 3-6 months. Handler selection and specialized training will occur concurrently. The program is expected to be fully operational within six months of Council authorization.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
In addition to an initial one-time equipment reimbursement stipend of $1,500 within 30 days of being assigned a canine, the estimated annual operating costs for the proposed Peer Support Canine Program are $8,017/year. This results in a first-year cost of $9,517 and an annual recurring cost of $8,017/year (where the future cost can increase based on the AFA MOU).
Estimated Annual Cost:
Cost Category Annual Cost
Additional Compensation for the Peer Support Canine Handler (2.5% of FF I, Step 10, base salary)
$3,023
Canine care and maintenance, which shall include but is not limited to food, supplies, kennels, carriers, insurance costs, training items, pet insurance, and health and wellness (e.g., microchip, vaccination, ID tags, first aid kit, etc.)
$3,000
Training for Peer Support Canine Handler (up to 32 hours) $1,993 Total Estimated Annual Cost $8,017
Approval of this program will require a new appropriation of $9,517 to the Fire & Rescue Department’s Fiscal Year 2025/26 General Fund budget. These funds will cover the initial equipment reimbursement, annual canine care and maintenance, and costs related to the Peer Support Canine Handler. Ongoing support for this program is subject to City Council approval of budget appropriations in future fiscal years.
Respectfully submitted, Concurred by,
Patrick Russell Linda N. Andal
Fire Chief Human Resources Director
Attachments:
1. Resolution
2. Letter of Understanding (LOU)