The emotional toll on first responders can be staggering in a county where emergency sirens sound up to 600 times a day—and community volunteers answer most of the calls. But thanks to one special dog, healing is just a wag away.
Meet Huck, a golden retriever-labrador mix and certified comfort dog with Port Jefferson EMS. Huck is part of Suffolk County’s Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) team, where his job is as vital as it is heartwarming: offering emotional support to EMTs, firefighters, and police officers after traumatic calls—scenes that often involve serious injury or death.
“After a really rough call—like a fatal car crash or a pediatric emergency—words don’t always help,” said Mike Presta, Chief of Port Jefferson EMS and Huck’s handler. “But when Huck walks into the room, you can see the tension start to melt. People reach out to pet him, and you just feel the energy shift.”
Huck was trained and placed through Canine Companions, a national nonprofit organization that has been transforming lives since 1975. With the help of its Long Island Chapter, the organization provides expertly trained service and support dogs to people with disabilities and, more recently, to first responder agencies such as Port Jefferson.
“The training these dogs go through is incredible,” Presta said. “Huck knows how to sense stress. He approaches people gently and intuitively knows when someone needs a little extra time. He doesn’t judge; he doesn’t ask questions—he’s just there. And that presence is powerful.”
The Long Island Chapter of Canine Companions plays a vital role in ensuring dogs like Huck reach the hands—and hearts—of those who need them most. The chapter supports the organization’s mission through education, outreach, and fundraising while also creating a network of puppy raisers, graduates, and volunteers who champion the cause.
“People often think of service dogs working with individuals with physical disabilities—and that’s absolutely critical—but what many don’t realize is how important they are in the world of emotional and psychological support too,” said a spokesperson for the Long Island Chapter. “Huck is a beautiful example of how these dogs can help an entire community.”
With hundreds of emergency calls a day in Suffolk—many involving emotionally grueling situations—the need for mental health support for first responders has never been more urgent. Programs like CISM, bolstered by therapy dogs like Huck, are proving to be essential.
“First responders are trained to act quickly and stay composed,” Presta explained. “But they’re human. They absorb trauma, and over time, that adds up. Huck gives them a safe, quiet moment to decompress—to feel seen and supported.”
And it’s not just EMS personnel who benefit. Huck also attends community events, visits schools, and even rides along to large-scale emergencies where his presence might be needed. He recently participated in a media conference kicking off EMS Recognition Week in Suffolk, where he was one of the star attractions. “Huck’s become a kind of unofficial mascot for Port Jeff EMS,” Presta said. “People light up when they see him. He reminds us that care isn’t just about stopping bleeding or clearing airways—it’s about healing hearts, too.”
As the Canine Companions Long Island Chapter continues its mission, the hope is that more dogs like Huck will soon comfort those who serve on the front lines—one paw at a time.