When Crisis Response Canines teams visited the communications center where Tara, a life-long Parsippany resident, worked for the New Jersey State Police, she noticed something that didn’t need explaining: the room changed. Stress softened. Shoulders dropped. Dispatchers smiled. The simple presence of a well-trained dog created a calm, steady pause in a high-pressure environment, and that moment stayed with her.
That experience led Tara to join Crisis Response Canines, a nonprofit that deploys certified canine-handler teams to provide emotional support in the aftermath of critical incidents.
More than a therapy dog
Tara’s partner is Gunner, a Boxer who showed the right temperament from early on. When she began pursuing membership, Gunner was about a year old and already demonstrating the steadiness this work demands. It’s easy to assume a crisis response dog works the same as a typical therapy dog, but Tara is quick to point out the difference: these dogs must stay calm and focused in an unpredictable environment, around sirens, radios, crowds, and intense emotion, while their handlers support people in real-time distress.
Gunner’s training reflects that higher bar. Along with extensive obedience work, he has earned multiple AKC titles: Canine Good Citizen, Canine Good Citizen Advanced, Canine Good Citizen Urban, and the AKC Temperament Test. He has also earned a Therapy Dog certification through the United States Police Canine Association and the Crisis Response Canine Working Dog Certification — making him one of only six dogs in New Jersey to hold the USPCA Therapy Dog Certification.
Tara has completed extensive training of her own, qualifying for the Crisis Response Canines national deployment team through an in-depth background investigation, specialized coursework in healthcare, mental health, and behavioral health, critical incident stress management certifications, and multiple FEMA certifications.
Bringing support where it’s needed
On any given workday with the New Jersey State Police, Tara and Gunner conduct wellness visits at one of the five NJ State Police Communications Centers, support command staff and other personnel, or simply make themselves available to anyone who needs a steady presence. They also volunteer with the New Jersey Firemen’s Benevolent Association Critical Incident Stress Management Team, responding to firehouses across the state following traumatic or high-stress events.
One moment showed exactly why this work matters. After a Hudson County Sheriff’s Office officer died in Jersey City, Tara and Gunner were there to support grieving colleagues. As one officer became overwhelmed, Gunner quietly approached without any prompting, sat beside them, and gently nudged them, offering comfort in a way words often can’t. The officer later described how meaningful that moment was and thanked Tara and Gunner for being there on one of the worst days of their life.
How to support Crisis Response Canines
Crisis Response Canines is an all-volunteer nonprofit, and donations help cover deployment travel, uniforms, supplies, training, and operating expenses. Those who want to help can donate through the organization’s website.
Follow Gunner’s journey
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