Rita The Fairfield County Therapy Dog

Rita The Fairfield County Therapy Dog Proud graduate of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Paws & Stripes College.

From a "second chance" shelter pup to a certified Law Enforcement Investigative Therapy K9, I’m here to provide comfort and support for the FCEMS

🍀 Top o' the mornin' to ya, Fairfield County! 🍀Rita here, your favorite four-legged therapist, reporting for duty (and t...
03/17/2026

🍀 Top o' the mornin' to ya, Fairfield County! 🍀
Rita here, your favorite four-legged therapist, reporting for duty (and treats)! I’m feeling extra lucky today because I got to spend my St. Patrick’s Day at the County Administration building with all my favorite humans. 🐾✨
My friends and I want to give a huge "paws-up" and a wagging thank you to the county team for letting us celebrate with you. I might not be able to drink the coffee from our friends at Travelin' Tom's, but I certainly did my best to "inspect" those delicious green donuts! 🍩💚
As you can see from my festive bandana, I’m all decked out in my lucky clovers and ready for some serious ear scratches. My favorite part of the day was definitely meeting so many of you—nothing beats a holiday filled with caffeine, sugar, and puppy love!
Stay lucky and have a wonderful day!
Love and licks,
Rita 🐾🍀



03/13/2026

Paws everything! I have some big news to bark about! 🐾🎉

My tail is wagging so fast because two of my favorite humans just graduated and became Paramedics! These ladies have been working so hard, and now they’re officially ready to take care of everyone in our county.

B Shift threw a great celebration (I was hoping for some extra treats, but I settled for extra scratches!), and we are all just so proud of them. FCEMS is lucky to have you both!

If you see them out in the rigs, give them a big wave or a "good job!" 🚑❤️🐶



🐾 PAWS UP, FAIRFIELD COUNTY! Rita here! 🐾I just overheard my humans at the station talking about something loud happenin...
03/11/2026

🐾 PAWS UP, FAIRFIELD COUNTY! Rita here! 🐾
I just overheard my humans at the station talking about something loud happening tomorrow! If you hear the sirens or your weather radio starts singing the "song of its people," don't let your ears perk up too much—it’s just the Statewide Tornado Drill! 📢
My EMS friends want us all to be ready for severe weather season, so here is your "Good Human" checklist for Wednesday, March 11 at 9:00 AM:
🛑 STOP: Whatever you’re doing (unless you’re filling my water bowl... finish that first! 😋).
🏠 DROP: Head to your "Safe Place." Think interior rooms or the lowest floor—basically anywhere without windows where I can’t see the squirrels.
🙄 ROLL: Your eyes at your family while you all snuggle in the hallway for a few minutes. (Snuggling is my favorite part of any drill!)
Why do we do this?
Because "The Calm in the Storm" is how we roll here at Fairfield County EMS. If we practice now, we’ll be pros when it counts!
Rita’s Pro-Tips:
✅ DUCK! Down to the lowest level, Under something sturdy, Cover your noggin, and Keep in shelter.
✅ Helmets are Pawsome: If you have a bike helmet, put it on! Protect those ears and brains. 🛡️
I want to see your "Shelter Selfies" in the comments tomorrow! Show me where you and your fur-friends are hiding out. Let’s see who has the best safe spot in the county! 📸👇
Stay safe, Fairfield! 🦴



🐾 Wagging My Tail for Brain Health! Rita Here! 🐾Did you know that March is National Brain Injury Awareness Month? My fri...
03/09/2026

🐾 Wagging My Tail for Brain Health! Rita Here! 🐾
Did you know that March is National Brain Injury Awareness Month? My friends at the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) are working hard to help people understand brain injuries, and I’m here to help spread the word (and maybe get a few head scratches while I’m at it)! 🐶🧠
The brain is a pretty big deal—it’s what tells me when it’s time for treats! But sometimes, brains get hurt. Whether it’s a TBI (from a bump or a fall) or an ABI (like a stroke), it changes lives. In fact, over 5.3 million Americans are living with a permanent brain injury right now.
Rita’s "Paws-itive" Facts:
⏱️ Tick-Tock: Every 9 seconds, someone in the U.S. sustains a brain injury. That’s faster than I can chase a squirrel!
🏥 Helping Hands: Over 200,000 people are hospitalized each year because of TBIs.
👴 Watch Your Step: My older human friends (75+) are at the highest risk for falls. Let’s keep those walkways clear!
How You Can Help (No Paws Required!):
✅ Buckle Up: Always wear your seatbelt in the car!
✅ Safety First: Wear a helmet when you’re biking or playing sports.
✅ Home Safety: Use grab bars and handrails to prevent slips and trips.
✅ Let’s Talk: Reducing stigma starts with us. Be kind and listen!
Let’s "paws" to think about brain safety this month. Together, we can make a difference! 💙






🐾 Paws up for Brain Injury Awareness Month! 🧠✨Hi friends, Rita here! Your favorite Fairfield County therapy dog. My huma...
03/05/2026

🐾 Paws up for Brain Injury Awareness Month! 🧠✨
Hi friends, Rita here! Your favorite Fairfield County therapy dog.

My human told me that March is a very special month: Brain Injury Awareness Month.

I might just be a pup, but I know a lot about helping brains feel better. Did you know that every 9 seconds, someone in the U.S. sustains a brain injury? Whether it's from a fall, a sports ouchie, or an accident, these "invisible" injuries can change how people think, move, and even feel.
Here’s what I’ve learned about how we can all be "paws-itive" helpers this month:

• Go Green for TBI: While blue is often used for all types of brain injuries, green is the special color specifically for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) awareness! It symbolizes hope, healing, and renewal for all my warrior friends.
• Change Your Mind: This year's theme is all about de-stigmatizing brain injuries. Just because you can't see a bandage doesn't mean someone isn't healing!
• Safety First (No Ruffs!): Humans should always wear their "hard hats" (helmets) when riding bikes or playing sports.
• The Power of a Wag: Therapy dogs like me help friends with brain injuries by providing comfort, reducing stress, and sometimes even helping with balance or memory tasks.
• You're Not Alone: Over 5.3 million Americans are living with a permanent brain injury. Sharing your story helps others feel brave!
If you see me out and about in Fairfield County this month, give me a gentle pat—I’m sending extra tail wags to all the brain injury survivors and their amazing caregivers today! 🐶💛







🐾 Stop scrolling! The paw-parazzi has arrived! 🐾I know, I know—I’m a little behind on the trend (I was busy napping, oka...
02/12/2026

🐾 Stop scrolling! The paw-parazzi has arrived! 🐾
I know, I know—I’m a little behind on the trend (I was busy napping, okay?), but look at these! My humans got some caricatures done of me, and honestly? I think I look too adorable for words. I’m basically a work of art at this point. 🎨✨

Being the newest employee at Fairfield County EMS is hard work. Between meeting my new co-workers and learning my way around the office, I’ve had to fit in a record-breaking amount of snuggles and pets. It’s a grueling schedule, but I’m a professional. 🐶💼

Being new to the county is a big adventure, but I’ve already been busy making the rounds and meeting my new co-workers. ...
02/12/2026

Being new to the county is a big adventure, but I’ve already been busy making the rounds and meeting my new co-workers. Let’s just say they are pretty great at giving ear scratches—it’s a tough job, but someone has to get all these pets! 🐶🦴

🐾 Stop what you’re doing and meet the new "paws-itive" addition to the Fairfield County EMS team! 🐾We are officially obs...
02/06/2026

🐾 Stop what you’re doing and meet the new "paws-itive" addition to the Fairfield County EMS team! 🐾
We are officially obsessed with Rita, our brand-new Therapy dog! This one-year-old mixed-breed shelter pup isn't just a professional tail-wagger; she’s a highly trained graduate with some seriously impressive credentials from the Sunshine State.
🎓 The "Paws & Stripes" Pedigree
Rita comes to us from the renowned Paws & Stripes College at the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office. This unique program pairs shelter dogs with jail inmates for an intensive 8-week basic obedience course, giving "second chances" to both the pups and the people training them.
🕵️ More Than Just "Sit" and "Stay"
Rita didn't stop at the basics. She leveled up into the Law Enforcement Investigative K9 Therapy program, a specialized 40-hour course. She’s trained in:
• Behavioral observation (she’s a pro at reading the room!)
• Investigative interview techniques
• Therapeutic recovery specifically for child victims.
🏆 Double-Certified Professional
Rita is officially a "working girl" with two certifications:
1. Multi-Discipline Therapy K9 Team
2. Law Enforcement Investigative Therapy Dog
Rita is currently settling into her new home at FCEMS with her partner-in-crime, Deputy Chief of Operations Samantha Larabee. Whether she's offering comfort after a tough call or helping during sensitive investigations, Rita is ready to serve.
Give her a "virtual" ear scratch in the comments! 🐕🦺




Address

100 Tidewater Drive N
Winnsboro, SC
29180

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