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for immediate release
Jan. 12, 2026
— The K-9 provides emotional support for city firefighters —
Miami Beach, FL – The Miami Beach Fire Department is proud to welcome Deco — its furriest and most cuddly team member. The 1-year-old Labrador/German shorthaired pointer mix is the department’s first-ever emotional support K-9.
“Mental wellness is just as essential as physical readiness in the fire service,” said Miami Beach Fire Chief Digna Abello. “Deco plays a vital role in creating moments of comfort for our crews. He’s more than a dog — he’s part of our commitment to support the emotional well-being of every member of this department.”
Abello, along with Lt. Claudio Navas, championed the idea of an emotional support dog to serve as an ever-present mental health resource for firefighters and 911 dispatchers. In addition, they developed an in-house peer support team to meet with firefighters in a confidential space. The peer support team guides firefighters to professional mental health counseling as needed.
Deco was adopted from the Miami-Dade Animal Shelter at 7 months of age in May 2025 – becoming the first rescue dog from the shelter to transition directly into the fire service. Since joining the department, Deco has been undergoing training along with his human team members.
With his uncanny ability to sniff out emotional gaps, Deco is quick to offer firefighters a moment of comfort, making it easier for them to open up about the stresses and challenges of the job.
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