The Allina Health EMS therapy dog and EMS Therapy Dog Program celebrate 5 years!

[KMSP-TV Fox 9 News, January 11, 2024] Allina Health celebrated the fifth year of its groundbreaking Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Therapy Dog Program on Thursday, January 11, 2024. The date also coincides with Evie LaCroix’s fifth birthday. 

As Allina Health’s first EMS therapy dog, Evie’s job is stress management. First responders deal with immense stress daily, and research shows working with a certified therapy dog, such as Evie, boosts oxytocin levels and reduces stress.

Evie’s handler and Allina Health EMS operations supervisor Kyle Strege spoke to FOX 9 News and explained how Evie helps with the mental health and wellbeing of EMTs and paramedics.