Emotional support dog who helped families after Miami condo collapse is left unable to walk

A heroic crisis response dog who offered love and support to families impacted by the Miami condo collapse is now unable to walk.

Teddy, the six-year-old basset hound-lab who spent the past three weeks providing psychological first aid to first responders and victims, is now in need of caregiving himself.

Dr. Tonya Carswell, of Progressive Choice Animal Care, told CBS 4 that Teddy likely has a herniated disc and two partially torn ligaments in his knees.

He has a team of two veterinarians tending to his injuries and is currently receiving laser therapy and acupuncture, as well as traditional physical therapy, in effort to relieve his symptoms.

Teddy, the crisis response dog pictured above, offered love and support to families impacted by the Miami condo collapse and is now unable to walk

His veterinarian says Teddy, shown above offering aid to first responders in Miami, likely has a herniated disc and two partially torn ligaments in his knees. It is not clear if he’ll ever be able to walk again

‘He’s just not able to walk,’ Carswell said.

She notes that crisis response dogs face difficult conditions while on the job that could’ve contributed to his condition.

‘The Surfside dogs had a lot of stress, heat, additional weight on back,’ she explained.

While Carswell is hopeful that Teddy will walk again, she says she cannot be sure.

Teddy’s owner, Sophia Barrett, echoed Carswell’s fears.

‘I’m scared of him not being able to walk again,’ Barrett told CBS 4. ‘He’s such an active dog … It would completely impact the quality of his life because that’s what he does.’

Teddy has a team of two veterinarians tending to his injuries and is currently receiving laser therapy, acupuncture and traditional physical therapy in effort to relieve his symptoms

Read More:  This English Artist Is Carving Out Powerful Messages About U.S. Gun Violence

Teddy’s vet says crisis response dogs face difficult conditions while on the job that could’ve contributed to his condition

Barrett and Teddy have been walking and climbing through the wreckage at the Surfside site since they arrived in Miami just days after the June 23 collapse.

Teddy, along with his team of crisis support dogs, has been greeting and providing comfort to rescuers and those who are looking for and mourning loved ones.  

‘We go down and we make rounds to the advocacy center, the reunification center, down at ground zero where search and rescue and recovery is taking place,’ Barrett told the New York Post. 

Although Teddy is receiving excellent medical care in Florida, Barrett says they are eager to return home to Philadelphia so he can recuperate in the comfort of his own home alongside his feline siblings.

Teddy (pictured), along with his team of crisis support dogs, has been greeting and providing comfort to rescuers and those who lost loved ones in the collapse for the last three weeks

A GoFundMe account was created to help with his medical and travel expenses

However, Barrett is concerned about the costs associated with his travel and medical expenses. 

‘The one big thing is having a plane chartered to get him home because a commercial airline would not be safe for him as well as driving all the way to Philadelphia,’ she shared.

A GoFundMe account has been created to aid in Teddy’s care. Any excess funds will be donated to Crisis Response Canines, a New Jersey based non-profit who helps bring dogs like Teddy to crisis locations.