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Ember the Four-Legged Firefighter Winning Hearts While Easing Stress

by David Volz September 12, 2025

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Ember the therapy dog. {David Volz}

One of the most loved and admired members of the Margate fire department is not human; she is Ember, the therapy dog.

Suppose a major crisis involving firefighters or a call that results in tragedy occurs. In that case, Ember immediately goes to work to provide as much comfort as possible in a way that only a therapy dog can.

Ember is often called on during crisis intervention situations. If there is a family tragedy involving a child, Ember will be present to offer comfort. She has traveled around Florida to address complicated situations, according to Battalion Chief Ed Pickering, who works with Ember.

Much of Ember’s work is more pleasant. She often visits schools and spends time with children. She also visits hospitals and senior centers.

“She is very good at relieving stress and is very good with little kids. She helps build bonds among people,” said Pickering.

To become a therapy dog, Ember had to undergo extensive training. She has been certified as a canine good citizen, a Florida firefighter’s collaborative animal-assisted crisis K9, Paws and Stripes Therapy K9 program, and Pet Partners.

She came to the Margate fire department through a donation from the For Paul Foundation, according to Pickering.

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Author Profile

David Volz

David Volz has worked as a writer in South Florida for 35 years. He has written for the Sun-Sentinel, Hollywood Gazette, School Transportation News, South Dade News Leaders, Observer among others. He has an MA in Communications from Florida Atlantic University and a BA in Communications from Valparaiso University. Volz teaches Communications at Miami Dade College and Palm Beach State College. He lives in Coral Springs and enjoys running and participating in 5Ks and half-marathons.