Pet Partners of Greater Cincinnati is a non-profit organization founded in 2004 as the tri-state resource for the human-animal bond and to validate the important role of animals for people's health and well-being. Trained volunteers bring pets to visit acute, rehabilitation and palliative healthcare facilities, group homes and schools throughout the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Metro area with current membership of over 200 volunteers and their dogs and other pets.

Some of those visits are in response to tragedies. For example, on April 10, 2018, Kyle Plush tragically died in his high school parking lot, trapped by the third-row seat of Honda Odyssey. Pet Partners had dogs at the school the next morning, and we have been invited back every year since (including six dogs on March 16).

To schedule a “STRESS RELIEF” visit (3 pets), or a larger “SPECIAL EVENT” (6+ pets), please contact Larry Bennett, lawrencedotbennettatucdotedu, Cell 513-470-2744


As an Ohio volunteer firefighter I/EMT-B, and longtime member of Southwestern Ohio CISM Team, for several years Larry Bennett have been bringing FRYE to critical incidents. When the Tri-State Peer Support Team was formed in 2019, there was a rapid increase in requests for pet therapy by emergency responders and 9-1-1 dispatchers.

Larry has formed a PET THERAPY RESPONSE TEAM which is dispatched by Hamilton County 9-1-1 for trauma events. So far this year, the team has responded to two structure fires where children have died.
All members of the team conduct monthly “stress relief” visits to Hamilton County 9-1-1 or Cincinnati 9-1-1. The Team is now starting monthly stress relief visits to fire departments in five Ohio counties, and in Northern Kentucky.

“TRAUMA EVENTS”
Pet Therapy Response Team is dispatched by Hamilton County 911 Communications (513-825-2170), which will contact Tri-State Peer Support Team (using RAVE); Ed Von Lehmden, evonlehmdenatgmaildotcom, Cell (513) 617-0092.


FD STRESS RELIEF VISITS [Goal: three pets per visit; SPECIAL EVENT - six+ pets]

March 19 (10 AM) – Glendale Fire Department, Hamilton County
April 20 (10 AM) – Deer Park / Silverton, Hamilton County
May 18 (10 AM) – Reading Fire Department, Hamilton County
May 26 (12 PM) – First Responders Mental Health Symposium – CVG Marriott (six pets): ceas.uc.edu/academics/departments/aerospace-engineering-mechanics/fire-science/news.html
June 5 (7 PM) – Eastern Joint Fire & EMS District, Brown County
July 20 (10 AM) – Covington Fire Department, Northern Kentucky
Aug. 17 (10 AM) – West Chester Township Fire Department, Butler County
Sept. 21 (10 AM) – Miami Township Fire Department, Clermont County
Oct. 19 (10 AM) – Deerfield Township Fire Department, Warren County
Nov. 16 (10 AM) – Woodlawn Fire Department, Hamilton County
Dec. 21 (10 AM) – Delhi Township Fire Department, Hamilton County
If you want to start a similar Team, contact Pet Partners, Bellevue, Washington, to find pet therapy group in your area.

Lawrence T. Bennett, Esq.
Professor – Educator
Program Chair, Fire Science & Emergency Management
University of Cincinnati
Cell 513-470-2744
Lawrencedotbennettatucdotedu
[Member – IAFC Terrorism & Homeland Security Committee.
Author of free monthly Fire & EMS Law newsletter:
ceas.uc.edu/academics/departments/aerospace-engineering-mechanics/fire-science/fire-service-law.html