Smokey is a two year old male black lab who is currently residing in Toledo, Ohio. Smokey has quiet the story to tell and once you know more about him, you will instantly fall in love with him. Smokey was a pup when his owner in Utah developed cancer and sadly passed away from it. His owner's family ended up taking him to a 'kill shelter' and by the grace of God, Smokey was saved by the Best Frien
ds Animal Sanctuary in Utah. Smokey immediately was seen as special and it was obvious that there was more for him to be doing in this life. Soon after, Smokey was received by the FETCH Foundation in Arizona, where Marie Peck and others trained Smokey to the level of a service dog. During this time, a few members of the Toledo Fire and Rescue Department were approached by their administrators and asked to develop a pilot program for having "Emotional Support" dogs within the fire stations. After doing research, Tracy Spader and the K9 Defender Fund (a non-profit organization which supplies 1st responders with animal saving equipment) linked all the interested parties together to bring Smokey from Arizona to Toledo as the department's first ever station Comfort Dog! Smokey has been the greatest asset to the station and the crews that people could have asked for. He makes smiling contagious with his sweet, caring mannerisms. Smokey, however, became visibly and seriously ill shortly after arriving in Toledo. Through testing it was discovered that Smokey had been bitten by a tick in Utah and had developed both Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Smokey has had some very rough days, but had a team of people who love and support him and are getting the treatment that he needs. Even while being sick, Smokey has continued to love the members of TFRD and any of those who come into contact with him. He makes the station a better place and we crew members could not be more thankful . We needed him just as much as he needed us!
*Stay tuned for information about upcoming 'Meet & Greets' with Smokey, Fund-raisers and ways to donate to his medical care.*
As always, thank you for your support!!
