Oscar — Therapy

After 25 years as a first responder, Dean Moreno sought effective ways to manage his stress. He soon learned about the role of dogs in supporting first responders and was inspired to adopt an 8-week-old yellow Labrador named Oscar.

Now, four years later, Oscar has become more than a companion; he’s become a lifeline. Recognizing the positive changes Oscar brought, they became a certified therapy dog team in December 2020, volunteering with their department’s PEER/Crisis support team and a state-wide team in Florida. Together, they’ve provided comfort during tragic events like the Surfside collapse and Hurricane Ian. Their journey led to earning the national Animal Assisted Crisis Response Canine Certification, allowing them to support first responders across the nation.

They’ve volunteered at over 600 community events, earning the prestigious Therapy Dog Supreme title from the AKC. Oscar’s impact, led Dean to create a foundation that provides therapy dogs to first responder agencies, donating 15 dogs to police and fire departments. He believes that while first responders are there to help others, dogs are there to help them. Together, Oscar is making a difference, one paw at a time.