K9 Program
Trauma-Informed Canine Support for Crisis, Care & Community Wellness
Birch & Pine Counseling is proud to offer a K9 Program that brings professionally trained canine-handler teams into moments where calm, connection, and emotional grounding matter most. Our canine partners provide a steady, nonjudgmental presence that supports individuals, families, first responders, and communities during times of stress, crisis, and transition.
Our K9 services are trauma-informed, collaborative, and designed to complement—not replace—clinical mental health services, emergency services, or chaplain support.
Purpose of Our K9 Program
The Birch & Pine K9 Program exists to:
Reduce stress and emotional overwhelm
Promote regulation, comfort, and connection
Support resilience during high-stress or traumatic events
Enhance wellness in community and crisis-response settings
Each canine team works alongside trained handlers who understand trauma-informed care, peer support, and respectful integration within professional systems.
Meet Our K9 Team
Our canine partners bring unique personalities, gentle presence, and steady support to every interaction:
Freya
Trigger
Bruno
Sitka
Mooz
These dogs are trained to engage calmly and safely across a wide range of environments, supporting individuals of all ages.
How Our K9s Support
Our canine teams provide support through:
- Emotional grounding and calming presence
- Trauma-informed, nonjudgmental engagement
- Support during crisis, grief, and high-stress situations
- On-scene, scheduled, and event-based presence
- Collaboration with counselors, first responders, healthcare teams, and community leaders
Our K9 Service Pathways
The Birch & Pine K9 Program includes two distinct service pathways, each tailored to specific community needs:
Valhalla Emergency Response K9s
Specialized crisis response for first responders and healthcare professionals, provided in partnership with Arrowhead EMS Association. These teams support on-scene incidents, station visits, and post-incident debriefings.
Birch & Pine Canine Support Services
Community-based canine support focused on mental health, wellness, and emotional regulation across schools, churches, nursing homes, community events, and outreach programs.
Our Commitment
At Birch & Pine Counseling, we believe healing and resilience are strengthened through connection. Our K9 Program reflects our commitment to trauma-informed care, community collaboration, and meeting people where they are — with compassion, professionalism, and respect.
Interested in K9 Support?
Explore our service pages to learn more about availability, partnerships, and how our trauma-informed canine teams can support your organization or community.