MIAMI-- Miami-Dade Fire Rescue is getting help from some four-legged friends.
The department is expanding its therapy dog program.
The Response K9 Program helps first responders deal with occupational stress and crisis situations.
The specially-trained dogs started out as rescues from local animal shelters.
The program, which involves greyhounds and other adopted dogs, has become a model that Miami-Dade County officials are working to expand to other departments throughout Florida and the nation.
The expansion in the pilot program comes as suicide rates for first responders continues to rise nationally.