ORLANDO, Fla. — The Uvalde, Texas, shooting has people sending help to families from all over, including one Orlando therapy dog and her handler.

What You Need To Know

  • “Crisis Response Canines” is sending a dog to Texas from Orlando to comfort the Uvalde community

  • 5-year-old Golden Retriever Macy, and her handler Bear Berman, join six other pairs of response dogs

  • Requested by Texas law enforcement, they will visit hospitals and the school memorial site

Registered Therapy Dog Macy, and handler R.A. “Bear” Berman, are part of the “Crisis Response Canines” group that flew to be with victims’ families early Thursday.

Macy, 5-year-old Golden Retriever, and Berman left Orlando to help those in need. 

She’s a registered therapy dog in the national non-profit group. 

Together, seven dogs from all over the country are meeting up to help at hospitals, and at the memorial site— they’ve been requested by law enforcement and the school board in Uvalde.

“This incident that we’re going to requires a little more than just talking to some people. We’re trained with psychological first aid. I happen to be certified with canine first aid,” explained Berman. “On the general side, the interaction is very calming and very soothing. … Most people really like dogs and when they look at her they just smile."