About Us
Dogs For First Responders is a mobile service that allows a frank exchange of communication based on an acute understanding of the role with dogs assisting to break down barriers.
Our Canine-Assisted Mental Health First Aiders will provide the opportunity for First Responders to decompress and talk about their thoughts/feelings/concerns in a non-judgemental, safe space with people who have ‘walked the path’ and ‘get it’.
Through observing and engaging, our Canine-Assisted Mental Health First Aiders will provide initial ‘on road/front line’ support to First Responders with guidance towards assistance within their organisation if needed, and encouragement to definitive care when necessary.
Our Team
Karen Hollings
Founder of Dogs for First Responders (D41R)
Karen is an experienced Paramedic who has been employed with St John WA since 2003 and has been awarded numerous commendations over the years. Like many other First Responders, Karen has experienced multiple traumatic events during the course of her career including the suicide of colleagues. In 2014 Karen was assaulted and injured while on duty which resulted in several surgeries, extensive rehabilitation, and PTSD. In 2020, with ongoing treatment, Karen was cleared to return to full-time, full operational front-line paramedic duties. It was during this journey Karen was inspired to initiate a project focused solely on the mental health of first responders.
Karen has a Bachelor Of Science in Paramedicine and is a Well-Being Supporter within St John WA. Karen has completed a Mental Health First Aid Course, A LivingWorks Start online training program, and a Gatekeeper Suicide Prevention Workshop. Karen has also started a Diploma in Counselling with the Australian Institute Of Professional Counselling and completed a Pet First Aid Course at The Animal Hospital located at Murdoch University, Western Australia.
A blessed mother of two, Karen has been studying the art form of karate since January 1989 and enjoys sharing her knowledge and passion with others. Karen loves the coastal lifestyle she has with her partner Eric and appreciates the time she is able to spend with family and friends.
Karen's hobbies include kayaking, walking, shell collecting, non-competitive swimming, and non-competitive cycling.
Angus
D41R Therapy Dog
Born on 1st July 2020 during the global pandemic, Angus was one of 8 pups in a once of breed so his mother could experience motherhood. Born in a suburb within the City Of Rockingham in Western Australia, Angus has remained on home soil and enjoys a coastal lifestyle with his human mum and dad.
Angus has been trained with purpose since being a puppy to assist his owner with symptoms of PTSD. Outlined on medical documentation for continued therapy, Angus assists by interrupting anger, reducing anxiety through touch, and using his body to bring his owner back to the present moment.
After completing puppy school with VetWest, the RSPCA Level One Training Course, the RSPCA Level Two Training Course, and an Empowerment Workshop with Perth Animal Training Specialists (PATS), Angus has also attended a Therapy Dog Training Workshop with PATS in hope of becoming an accredited Therapy Dog once his owner completes all the modules and organises an onsite assessment.
Angus will continue to wear a harness and jacket for his PTSD assistance role and will wear a bandana during his Pet Therapy Role with D41R - Dogs For First Responders.
Guided with the assistance of Animal Therapies Ltd, the health and well-being of Angus is monitored by VetWest in Rockingham and Animal Sense in O'Connor.
Our Supporters
Heidi Carman
Founder and Executive Director First Responder Therapy Dogs, INC
Heidi Carman is the founder and Executive Director of the non-profit First Responder Therapy Dogs, INC She resides in San Rafael, California. Is married and the proud mother of 5 children, one grandson, two therapy dogs and one cat. Her studies in Psychology and Dog Training led her to create First Responder Therapy Dogs. Her ultimate goal is to provide therapy dogs to every first responder in the United States.
Tracy Ryan
New England Director of Operations, First Responder Therapy Dogs, INC
Tracy joined First Responder Therapy Dogs in August 2021 with her dog Sparkie in an effort to spread therapy dog love to First Responders on the East Coast. She is a High School Guidance Counsellor, mom to 2 boys, wife of a firefighter, and small business owner. Training a therapy dog was always something she wanted to do, and finding First Responder Therapy Dogs was the perfect fit for both Sparkie and her family.
Dr. Lisa Holmes
Course and Unit Coordinator at Edith Cowan University
Lisa is a Course Coordinator of the Post Graduate Disaster & Emergency Response courses and a Unit Coordinator across several units in the Undergraduate Paramedicine Degree at Edith Cowan University.
Her PhD explored the mental health challenges of the Paramedic profession. This resulted in the publishing of guidelines for embedding mental health and well-being across accredited undergraduate paramedicine courses, in addition to developing activities for paramedicine students to develop strategies to maintain personal and team well-being prior to commencing employment as first responders. She has also introduced wellness dogs Watson & Edi, to the University to reduce the anxiety and stress of staff and students. She is also an active accredited Mental Health First Aid Trainer delivering courses to students, staff and the community
Mark Wing
Program Manager
Mark is a highly experienced and accomplished IT Professional with more than twenty years' experience in Australian Private and Public sectors. Mark has extensive knowledge working with complex global enterprises with responsibility for Transformation Programs and Customer Success.
Mark has dedicated a large amount of his career to service having served in the Royal Australian Air Force for 15 years and worked with First Responder organisations in Western Australia since 2010.
Mark is proud to be associated with Dogs for First Responders and is enjoying the opportunity to use his skills to help launch the initiative.
Amanda Ypinaza
Principal Consultant at The Brown Collective and Business Owner
Amanda Ypinazar is a principal consultant at The Brown Collective and has built a professional reputation for delivering contemporary, research-based strategies for improved efficiency and leadership capacity. Energetic and personable by nature, Amanda has a passion for organisational improvement and provides collaborative pathways for clients looking for a leading market edge.
With 30 years of experience in the education field as a leading Principal, Amanda still believes the greatest investment any organisation can make is in its people. Coupled with this work Amanda is heavily involved with lobbying and negotiating with corporate businesses to actively involve them in profit reinvestment in the community for the purpose of enriching lives of children with severe and life-threatening medical conditions through the Ronald McDonald House Charity.
Joshua Hale
Freelance Graphic Designer and owner of Hale Graphics
Joshua Hale has been in the design industry since 2020 and is passionate about using his skills to unify and educate people through the means visual communication. Josh believes that, in order to best help others, you must allow time to look after yourself both mentally and physically. He has been a massive supporter of D41R since its very conception. To show this support, Josh has assisted in designing the D41R logo and is committed to using his design skills to help drive the vital messages that D41R is raising.
Matthew Dunsire
Clinical Psychologist
Matthew is a clinical psychologist that has been practicing in Perth for more than 20 years and has worked with many clients including Paramedics, Police Officers, and Firefighters supporting them with various mental health concerns that can arise through their work. He is a strong supporter of treatments and supports that include dogs as they can help to improve clients’ mood, reduce mental health symptoms around anxiety and trauma and improve quality of life.
Charlotte Smithson
Animal Behavioural Practitioner
Charlotte is a well-known local animal behavioural practitioner, with 25 years of industry experience and numerous professional qualifications in Animal Behaviour, Welfare, and Management.
She offers education in these areas to not only the general public but also to other professionals within the pet care sector. Charlotte launched and established PATS (Perth Animal Training Specialists) in 2016 and has become one of Perth’s Top Behaviour Centres for all Companion Animals.
Charlotte believes that all animals have an intrinsic right to being treated humanely and it is her passion to help educate both the general public as well as other professionals on how to train pets without using fear or pain to obtain results.