A New Beginning for Riggs
In a heartwarming turn of events, a dog who lost both his home and owner in a devastating house fire earlier this year has found a new purpose with the Gilmer County Fire Rescue. The department has adopted the one-and-a-half-year-old pup, naming him Riggs and bestowing upon him the rank of Lieutenant. Following specialized training, Riggs is on track to become the department’s first-ever therapy dog.
A Natural Bond Formed in Crisis
The remarkable connection between Riggs and the firefighters began during the January fire response where, tragically, the dog’s owner did not survive. Firefighters discovered Riggs living in a shed behind the property. What struck them immediately was the dog’s unusually calm demeanor amid the chaos.
“Every person that would sit down and change a cylinder out, Riggs would come up and sit beside them, hang out with them, try to play with them,” recalled one firefighter. “Despite all the chaos that was going on at this fire, Riggs remained calm. He was more concerned with just keeping us company.”
Healing Through Service
For the firefighters, the January call was particularly difficult. The team members who discovered and transported the victim were deeply affected, with many wondering if arriving just minutes earlier might have changed the outcome. In their moment of distress, Riggs provided unexpected comfort.
“He was kind of like the light at the end of the tunnel,” one firefighter explained. When they learned the family couldn’t take Riggs, the department unanimously decided they couldn’t let him go.
Community Support Makes Training Possible
The nonprofit Friends of Gilmer County Animal Shelter has stepped in to arrange medical care for Riggs and connected the department with a professional trainer. The training program focuses on preparing him for therapy work throughout the community.
One supporter who helped organize the training shared a personal connection: “My house burned down three years ago, so I know what that’s like. It would have helped me to have a dog that was trained as a therapy dog.”
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Conclusion: A Special Purpose
Once his training is complete, Riggs will be stationed at Gilmer County’s Station One, ready to respond wherever his unique abilities are needed. Fire department personnel believe this isn’t just coincidence but destiny.
“The type of dog he is and the spirit he has—I feel like he was put here specifically to help people, and I love the fact that we were able to give him that opportunity,” concluded a department spokesperson.
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