OC Fire Welcomes Peer Support K-9 Pax Into Fold

ORANGE COUNTY, CA — Orange County firefighters received their first Peer Support K-9 as a much-needed donation by Thor's Hope Foundation.

K-9 Pax is a three-year-old Labrador Retriever who is fully trained to support first responders amid crisis situations. Pax has completed several hundreds of hours of training with OC Firefighter Wade Munson, an active member of the Orange County Fire Authority's Peer Support Team.

Munson will serve as OCFA's first Canine Peer Support Specialist.

"The mental health of our firefighters is a top priority," OC Fire Authority Chief Brian Fennessy said in a statement. "The addition of K-9 Pax and Firefighter Munson enhances an already robust array of services our Behavioral Health and Wellness Program provides, and we are grateful to both Local 3631 and Thor's Hope for their partnership."

Pax's presence in the department will "give much needed diffusion and positive distraction when our members are coping with critical incidents and post-traumatic stress," a statement said.

Congratulations, Firefighter Munson and K-9 Pax!