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Following the shooting in Uvalde that killed 19 students and two teachers, one local organization has been a source of support for first responders and families of victims.
Service Dogs, Inc., based out of Dripping Springs, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that trains dogs to become service animals for those with physical and mental disabilities or illnesses. These animals can also be utilized as emotional support animals, as has been the case in Uvalde for the past month. Handler Pam Traylor. Courthouse Facility Dog Sumi and other SDI-trained Facility Dog teams have been working in and with the local community since the evening of the shooting on May 24.
Traylor and Sumi drove over 300 miles to volunteer at the Bluebonnet Children’s Assessment Center in Uvalde. Bluebonnet CAC requested their help based on their years of work in the justice system. For eight hours a day, families of victims spend time with Sumi as they work through the grieving process.
“Sumi keys in on people in extreme need,” explained Traylor. “When they walk in, they are pretty distant. The children don’t want to let go of their parents’ hands or even play with any of the toys.”
“Then, they see Sumi and they light up,” she continued. “They get down on the floor with her and start petting her. One little girl whose mother said she was afraid of dogs spent an hour cuddling with Sumi. Her mother was astounded.”
SDI trained Sumi free of charge.
SDI’s Facility Dog teams have responded to other large-scale disasters, such as the 2019 Walmart shooting in El Paso.
Many Texas agencies are now requesting Facility Dogs from SDI, according to Sheri Soltes, SDI Founder and CEO.
“Helping Texas communities in crisis is part of our mission,” said Soltes. “Thanks to the generosity of Texans, we will be ready when they need us.”
