Therapy dog Cozmo brings treats and gratitude to fire crews

A special visitor stopped by North Whidbey Fire and Rescue this week carrying cupcakes, caramels, cookies and smiles. Barbara Kurse arrived with her emotional support dog celebrity, Cozmo, and friend Pat LaMonte to thank firefighters who helped rescue the dog after an October fall from a bluff.

The rescue drew firefighters from North Whidbey Fire and Rescue, Central Whidbey Island Fire and Rescue and the Navy Fire department. Kurse said the visit was their way of saying thank you for saving her beloved pup. “I was so grateful that they responded so quickly and in full equipment for any possible outcome,” she said.

Cozmo is not only a survivor but a community volunteer. The dog is part of a Northwest group called Dogs on Call, led locally by LaMonte, that visits high schools, hospitals, memory care, libraries and hospice to greet people and spread four legged joy. Kurse explained that serving others is personal. “It makes me feel good to give back to the community,” she said. “Hospice was so good to my husband before he passed away that I wanted to give back. So having Cozmo and watching the smile on these people’s faces just does my heart good.”

For first responders the rescue and the visit underscore broader community connections. North Whidbey Fire Deputy Chief Ray Merrill said the department takes pride in saving a figure many consider essential to local care networks. “People would say, well, it’s just a dog. It’s more than just a dog. It’s a very important member of the community because of the work Cozmo does,” he said. Merrill added that the operation was a team effort across agencies and emphasized a public service ethic. “We are really here to support and help the community in their time of need; whether it be for an animal, or a human or just because it’s important and this is what we do,” he said.

The episode speaks to public health and social equity in Island County. Volunteer therapy animals help reduce isolation among seniors and provide emotional support in schools and clinical settings where resources can be limited. The coordinated rescue illustrates how interagency cooperation protects residents and their companions, and it raises questions about resource allocation for community based mental health supports and emergency response capacity in rural areas.

As Island County moves into the new year, the visit offers a reminder that health and wellbeing extend beyond clinical walls. Small acts of gratitude and volunteer service reinforce resilience, and collaboration between volunteers and public safety agencies sustains the social fabric of the community.