Some 100 therapy dogs - Labs, mutts, a borzoi, a basset hound - and three cats worked the family center at Pier 94 following the Twin Towers attack. Other dogs helped the Red Cross to comfort firefighters, police officers, and rescue workers at ground zero. [May not work for all browsers.] [New York Times]

Animals provided comfort at a crisis center near the Pentagon following September 11. All were family pets of the volunteers on the other end of the leash.

Therapy Dogs assisted families and relief workers following 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. Other examples from September 11. Includes a poem. Therapy Dogs International (TDI) is preparing training and testing standards.

Story of a gentle golden retriever that helps victims of disasters to recover emotionally. [American Red Cross]

Workers at Ground Zero receive therapy and a grief outlet in the shape of a golden retriever called Nikie - the site's only certified therapy dog. Other dogs helped at the city's family assistance centres. [BBC News]

Specially trained teams of therapy animals and their handlers helped ease the pain for rescue workers, fire fighters, police, and victims' families after the September 11 attacks. Some traveled from Oregon to help at Ground Zero. [VetCentric]

Hope Crisis and Response Team worked with the Red Cross to help bring emotional support to thousands affected by the World Trade Center attack. Emergency crew members call, "Here, pooch!" Everyone grins. They enjoy soft fur after a day of steel and concrete.

When tragedy and people are gathered together in their grief, the simple act of petting a dog can give comfort that no words can offer. By Caring Canines, Boston.

This non-profit organization works with national, state, and local crisis and disaster relief agencies as well as the academic community. It sponsors and hosts conferences, seminars and presentations on Canine Crisis Intervention. Articles on several aspects of this work.

"Applejack" served as a loving distraction for emotionally traumatized people after shooting disasters at Santana and Granite Hills high schools. A.J. and handler are certified for Animal Assisted Emotional Support (AAES).

Pier 94 became the Family Center following the World Trade Center attacks. The task of orienting, scheduling, and monitoring the 100 four-footed therapists from several pet therapy groups fell to the ASPCA counselors.

Good-natured german shepherd worked with abused children and accompanied them into court during trials. Part of the Childrens Advocacy Center

Emotional support dogs and their owners are helping in an evacuation center during the forest fires in southern California. Describes the Hope Crisis Response team training program. [Disaster News Network]

Hope Crisis Response has three and four day programs to prepare volunteers and their dogs. Teams provide emotional support in difficult situations.

Nikie and his handler enabled hundreds of construction laborers and rescue workers to talk about the extraordinary stress of working at ground zero.

This local pet therapy group worked disaster relief following September 11 and is preparing for future needs.