K9 Apollo

I wanted a hug.
Mom… did NOT request a hug.

So naturally, I initiated one anyway. 🐾

She attempted to continue working…
I escalated to full-body deployment.

You don’t always get to choose the hug…
sometimes the hug chooses YOU.

This is how it starts.

Training. Building. Showing departments what’s possible.

Crisis Response K9 teams are making a real difference—and this is something ANY department can bring to their people.

Take a look at Theresa, K9 BB and share this 👇

🚨 Handler Spotlight: Firefighter/Paramedic Theresa Mackie & K9 BB 🐾

FFSHC is proud to recognize Firefighter/Paramedic Theresa Mackie of Pompano Beach Fire Rescue, a highly experienced professional with 26 years of dedicated service and 4 years as a certified K9 handler within the peer support and crisis response environment.

Theresa and her K9 partner, BB (Big Bear) represent the highest standard of professionalism, training, and commitment required to serve in the Crisis Response K9 Program. From an early age, BB demonstrated a natural ability to provide comfort and emotional grounding—an ability that Theresa has intentionally developed through structured training, certification, and operational experience.

Their progression from foundational obedience to advanced crisis response capabilities reflects the rigorous pathway required of crisis response K9 teams. Together, they have achieved:

• FFSHC Crisis Response K9 Team
• ATD National Therapy Dog Certification
• AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) & Urban CGC

Theresa’s professional qualifications further reinforce the integrity and effectiveness of the team, including:

• ICIFS – Critical Incident Stress Management Certification
• UCF RESTORES R.E.A.C.T Training
• North Carolina Peer Support Model for First Responders Certification
• IAFF Peer Support Certification
• K9 First Aid & CPR Certification
• ICS 100, 200, 700, 800 Certifications

Their operational deployment history encompasses responses to:
• Hurricane Ian
• Hurricane Helene
• Hurricane Milton
• LODD Support Buffalo, NY
• Multiple Local Activations.

Theresa remains committed to continued professional development and is currently working toward becoming a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT)—further enhancing the capabilities and sustainability of the program.

This level of service does not happen by chance—it is built through hundreds of hours of training, dedication, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to those we serve.

Thank you, Theresa and BB, for your professionalism, leadership, and continued service to the first responder community.

I have just been informed…
against my will…
with ZERO union representation…

🚿 IT IS BATH TIME. 🚿

As you can see, I am currently in the
“pre-bath emotional damage phase.”

I have:
✔️ Done nothing wrong
✔️ Been a very good boy
✔️ Already smelled perfect (in my opinion)

Yet here we are… moments away from
shampoo… betrayal… and questionable life choices.

If I don’t make it…
tell the treats I loved them. 🥹🐾

Greatest cause in all of Florida! If you can give a hand! (Or paw) ❤️🐾 - Apollo!

Dad’s on shift and the weather today is chef’s kiss.

Perfect breeze coming through the engine bay, trucks are ready, crew is working… and I’m handling the important assignment of relaxing and supervising.

Somebody’s got to keep morale up around here.

Engine bay breeze + firehouse vibes = 10/10 work day.

— Apollo 🐾

Dad’s at work… so it’s just me and mom today.

Which means it’s time for my favorite activity:
styling, profiling, and flipping my luxurious ears back and forth.

Mom says I’m “being dramatic.”
I say I’m practicing my runway walk.

Wind machine: ❌
Natural ear flop: ✅

Stay fabulous, friends.

— Apollo 🐾

Dear Mrs. Dinorah,

I’ve never officially met you, but you always leave treat bags for me at Brigdawgs… and I notice. 🐾
Every snack has been thoroughly inspected and enthusiastically approved.

Life can be busy, but little acts of kindness like yours mean a lot to me and my humans.
Thank you for thinking of me and for all the love.

You’ve got a friend in a bowtie anytime.

— Apollo 🐾

Our hearts are with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office as they say goodbye to Therapy K9 Mia, EOW February 19, 2026.

Mia wasn’t just a good girl — she was a pioneer.
As LCSO’s first therapy dog, she spent years showing up when people needed comfort most. Quiet visits after hard calls. Classrooms. Offices. Community events. Over 700 times she did what working dogs like us are trained to do… just be there.

Sometimes the strongest work a K9 can do isn’t loud.
It’s a lean into a leg.
A head on a knee.
A reminder to breathe after a tough day.

From one working K9 to another — thank you for the path you helped pave. Because of dogs like Mia, more departments see the value in crisis response and therapy K9s supporting the people who serve others.

Rest easy, sweet girl.
You did your job well.
We’ll take it from here.

– Apollo 🐾

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Therapy K9 Mia - EOW: February 19, 2026. 💙🐾

Mia made history as LCSO’s first Therapy Dog, beginning her service in 2018. In her years with us, she completed over 700 visits, bringing comfort and smiles to deputies, staff, students, and community members when they needed it most.

Whether she was offering quiet support after a difficult day, brightening a classroom, or simply leaning in for a head scratch, Mia had a special way of knowing exactly when someone needed her. She loved homemade treats, rolling in the grass, and was proudly a “professional napper.” But above all, she loved people.

Mia served alongside her handler, Corporal Bedgood of our School Resource Unit, and together they built connections that strengthened our agency and our community.

Thank you Mia and rest easy, sweet girl. You will always be part of the LCSO family.

Dad’s back on shift… which means I’m back on shift too.

Today’s assignment:
• Fresh air
• Sunshine
• Supervising absolutely nothing
• Emotional support from the grass

Sometimes the best therapy is just slowing down, feeling the breeze, and reminding the crew (and dad) to breathe for a minute.

Work looks a little different for me… but I take it very seriously.

Back where I belong.
— Apollo 🐾

The Power of the Stare.

I don’t need anything.
I have:
✔️ Eaten
✔️ Gone potty
✔️ Had snacks
✔️ Had pets
✔️ Had more snacks
✔️ Had emotional support snacks

And yet…

Dad is sitting at a desk.
Doing “work.”
Not making eye contact.
Not acknowledging my existence.

So now I deploy…
The Stare.

No barking.
No whining.
Just quiet, judgmental, soul-piercing eye contact until morale improves and snacks are redistributed.

This is advanced K9 behavioral operations.
Highly trained.
Very professional.
Zero shame.

If you feel someone staring into your soul today…
…it’s probably because you owe them attention.

— Apollo 🐾

Being invited to events like this isn’t just about getting dressed up — it’s about continuing the conversation.
K9 teams are becoming an important part of many departments’ behavioral health access plans, and we’re honored to be here for a second year helping spread that message.

If one more department leaves here believing they can build a program like this… it’s worth every mile, every bag packed, and every fur-covered tux.

We’re here to help normalize the tough conversations, reduce stigma, and remind our people that support comes in many forms — sometimes with four legs and a wagging tail.

Grateful for the opportunity to represent and to keep pushing this mission forward.

We have officially arrived in Tallahassee.
Dad packed half the house, Mom packed the other half, and I packed… myself. Obviously the most important item.

Checked into the room.
Inspected the carpet.
Located snacks.
Security sweep complete.

Now standing by for the For Love & Honor Gala where I will be working the room, accepting compliments, and pretending this tux wasn’t tailored specifically for maximum handsomeness.

Sneak peek only… full red carpet content coming soon.
Try to remain calm.

— Apollo 🎩🐶✨