Greensboro Introduces First Fire Department Therapy Dog Natty

The City of Greensboro posted a notice on its City News feed on November 12, 2025, announcing that Captain Shawn Hyatt of the Greensboro Fire Department is now the handler for the department's first therapy dog, Natty. The short item described Natty as a trained therapy dog and outlined plans to use the animal to support firefighters and to provide community outreach and wellness support.

Officials emphasized the program as a tool for internal wellness as well as public engagement. Natty will be available to support first responders dealing with the day to day stresses of emergency work, and the department intends to include the dog in community facing activities designed to build connections and offer comfort to residents in schools, events, and other public settings. The announcement placed Natty in a dual role designed to address both occupational stress within the department and broader community needs.

For Guilford County residents the program represents a tangible step toward normalizing mental health resources within public safety agencies. Firefighters and emergency medical personnel face repeated exposure to traumatic events, and therapy animals have become one of several approaches departments nationwide use to reduce stress and improve resilience. By assigning a dedicated handler and a trained animal, the Greensboro Fire Department is signaling a commitment to sustained wellness programming rather than ad hoc measures.

Operationally the program raises practical questions that the department will need to manage, including scheduling, training certification, public access protocols, and health and safety considerations. The announcement did not provide a detailed timeline for public appearances or specific certification details, but it did place the initiative within the department's broader wellness and outreach strategy.

Viewed in a wider context, therapy animal programs have been adopted by emergency services in many countries as part of holistic approaches to mental health and community trust building. Cultural sensitivity and careful planning will determine how effectively Natty can serve diverse neighborhoods across Guilford County. Residents interested in learning more can find the city notice on the City News feed from mid November for additional information about this new resource within the Greensboro Fire Department.