By Lookout Staff

April 7, 2025 -- The Fire Department this week unleashed a new weapon to help firefighters and other City employees combat stress and support mental health, City officials announced Monday.

An English Labrador named Roger is the first certified support K-9 member of the newly launched team that will offer workers "comfort and companionship."

Roger the service dog with firefighter (Courtesy SMFD)

"Working alongside a designated peer support team handler, Roger will visit fire stations" and "attend debriefings after critical incidents," City officials said.

He will also attend community events to "interact with the public and be available to firefighters and city employees in need of emotional support."

The new program also "aims to provide comfort, reduce stress and promote emotional resilience for Santa Monica Fire Department, or SMFD, personnel as well as the broader community."

According to City officials, firefighters face high levels of stress "due to the intense and often traumatic nature of their work.

"Recognizing the need for enhanced mental health support, SMFD has integrated the K-9 Peer Support Program as part of its commitment and dedication to prioritizing a healthy and supportive work environment.

SMFD joins a growing number of agencies across the country that have adopted similar programs, including the Redondo Beach, Newport Beach, Torrance and Huntington Beach fire departments and the Westminster Police Department in Southern California.

“We are thrilled to introduce this program as a proactive step in supporting the mental wellness of our firefighters and city employees,” Fire Chief Matthew Hallock said in a statement.

“The presence of a therapy dog has been proven to lower stress levels, improve morale and encourage open conversations about mental health," Hallock said.

"We believe this initiative will make a meaningful impact on our team.”