Agenda 02/28/2023 Item #16E 4 (Agreement with Golden Paws Assistance Dogs inc.)16. E.4
02/28/2023
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Recommendation to approve an Agreement with Golden Paws Assistance Dogs Inc., to provide trained
therapy dogs for immediate therapy dog mental health treatment to Collier County EMS first responders in
order to augment the Critical Incident Stress Management and Peer Support Program for EMS. Yearly
program expense not to exceed $6,000.00.
OBJECTIVE: To approve an Agreement with Golden Paws Assistance Dogs, Inc. to provide trained foster dogs
to EMS for use in mental health therapy for first responders.
CONSIDERATIONS: Collier County EMS provides emergency response to the sick and injured within Collier
County. EMS employees experience frequent and recurrent occupational and psychological hazards as part of their
daily work. Currently treatments and interventions to address mental health affecting EMS providers has increased
and immediate intervention options are limited. Social barriers with the stigma of seeking treatment may postpone
and discourage first responders from seeking treatment. The increase of mental health awareness and providing
therapy alternatives to support first responder mental health is imperative to reduce anxiety, stress, and PTSD.
Interaction with therapy dogs immediately following a stressful incident or on an ongoing basis can support and
lower stress levels for first responders and provide an additional resource for coping.
Research has shown the presence of therapy animals can lower blood pressure, decrease anxiety, improve mood,
and foster feelings of support and confidence in humans. Therapy dogs may also provide an initial point of therapy
by opening up a conversation about stressors and providing a safe environment for first responders. Therapy dog
programs can reduce stigmas of first responders seeking support and addressing mental health.
Thus, staff recommends that the Board approve an Agreement with Golden Paws Assistance Dogs, Inc. ("Golden
Paws") to provide trained foster dogs to EMS for use in mental health therapy for first responders. As part of the
Agreement, Golden Paws will provide EMS with trained foster dogs but will remain responsible for veterinary
services, boarding, grooming, and continued training. EMS will be responsible for the cost of food and equipment
needed to care for the dogs such as leashes, collars, etc. while the therapy dogs are in the custody of EMS.
FISCAL IMPACT: There are no fees associated for EMS to foster the trained dog(s). EMS will be responsible for
the monthly cost of food and minor supplies for dogs such as leashes, collars, etc. not to exceed $500.00 monthly or
$18,000.00 for the initial three-year period.. Funds are available in EMS Fund 490.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item is approved as to form and legality and requires a majority vote for
approval. -SAA
GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: There is no Growth Management Impact resulting from this action.
RECOMMENDATION: To approve an agreement with Golden Paws Assistance Dogs, Inc., to provide
trained foster dogs to EMS for use in mental health therapy for first responders.
PREPARED BY: Tabatha Butcher, Chief, Emergency Medical Services
ATTACHMENT(S)
1. Golden Paws Agreement Final (PDF)
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16. E.4
02/28/2023
COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 16.E.4
Doc ID: 24629
Item Summary: Recommendation to approve an Agreement with Golden Paws Assistance Dogs Inc., to provide
trained therapy dogs for immediate therapy dog mental health treatment to Collier County EMS.
Meeting Date: 02/28/2023
Prepared by:
Title: — Emergency Medical Services
Name: Cherie DuBock
02/09/2023 10:15 AM
Submitted by:
Title: Division Director - EMS Operations — Emergency Medical Services
Name: Tabatha Butcher
02/09/2023 10:15 AM
Approved By:
Review:
Emergency Medical Services
County Attorney's Office
Office of Management and Budget
Community & Human Services
County Attorney's Office
County Manager's Office
Board of County Commissioners
Tabatha Butcher
Director Review
Sally Ashkar
Additional Reviewer
Debra Windsor
Level 3 OMB Gatekeeper Review
Maggie Lopez
Additional Reviewer
Jeffrey A. Klatzkow Level 3 County Attorney's Office Review
Amy Patterson
Level 4 County Manager Review
Geoffrey Willig
Meeting Pending
Completed
02/09/2023 11:04 AM
Completed
02/09/2023 11:07 AM
Completed
02/09/2023 2:56 PM
Completed
02/10/2023 8:21 AM
Completed
02/10/2023 2:55 PM
Completed
02/22/2023 11:43 AM
02/28/2023 9:00 AM
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16.E.4.a
Memorandum of Understanding
Between
Collier County, a Political Subdivision of the State of Florida
and
Golden Paws Assistance Dogs, Inc.
This Therapy/Service Dog Foster Agreement is entered into this day of ,
2023. The purpose of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is to set forth, define and
establish mutual agreements, understandings, and obligations by and between Collier County, a
political subdivision of the State of Florida, through its Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
Division ("Collier County" or "EMS"), and Golden Paws Assistance Dogs, Inc. ("Golden
Paws").
WHEREAS, Collier County, through its Emergency Medical Services Division, provides
emergency response to the sick and injured within Collier County. Collier County Emergency
Medical Services employees experience frequent and recurrent occupational and psychological
hazards as part of their daily work;
WHEREAS, Currently treatments and interventions to address the mental health affecting
EMS providers has increased and immediate intervention options are limited. Interaction with
therapy/service dogs immediately following a stressful incident or on an ongoing basis can
support and lower stress for first responders;
WHEREAS, Animal assisted therapies are related to lower stress, improved employee
satisfaction, reduced blood pressure and heart rates. An EMS therapy dog program would be an
additional asset to the current Critical Incident Stress Management and Peer Support Program for
EMS;
WHEREAS, Golden Paws Assistance Dogs, Inc. is in the business of providing training
for service dogs to assist with providing psychological or physiological therapy to individuals
other than their handlers; and
WHEREAS, Collier County Emergency Medical Services desires to foster, utilize and
obtain training of therapy/service dogs by Golden Paws pursuant to the terms and conditions set
forth herein.
NOW THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:
I. Statement of Basic Responsibilities:
A. Golden Paws agrees to provide trained therapy/service dogs to Collier County
Emergency Medical Services to foster and be utilized for debriefing therapy sessions
after a significant event or when requested by an EMS employee and/or station visits
to provide stress relief.
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16.E.4.a
B. Golden Paws agrees to remain the owner of the therapy/service dog and Collier
County EMS agrees to foster the dog as part of the mental health program for first
responders.
C. Collier County Emergency Medical Services agrees to designate primary handler (s)
and backup handler (s) to care for the dogs and interact with the first responders to
provide therapy as part of the Critical Incident Stress Management Team.
D. Golden Paws agrees to provide initial and continuing training to the designated EMS
handler (s).
E. Collier County Emergency Medical Services will notify Golden Paws immediately if
the dog (s) can no longer be fostered or if the dog is ill or in distress.
F. Collier County Emergency Medical Services agrees to preserve the dog's level of
training and continue all program training as needed.
G. Collier County Emergency Medical Services will be responsible for the safety and
well-being of the dog along with expenses for food and any equipment needed to care
for the therapy/service dog while in the custody of Collier County.
H. Golden Paws will provide veterinarian services for the dogs utilized by Collier
County EMS and assure Collier County EMS handlers have proof of vaccinations.
I. Golden Paws agrees to provide boarding for the dog in the event it is needed.
J. Golden Paws agrees to provide regular grooming to the dog (s).
K. Golden Paws and Collier County EMS agree to jointly coordinate public relations and
marketing to build community awareness and goodwill.
II. Indemnification and Insurance
To the maximum extent permitted by Florida Law, Golden Paws shall defend, indemnify, and
hold harmless Collier County, its officers and employees from any and all liabilities, damages,
losses, and costs, including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys' fees and paralegals' fees, to
the extent caused by the negligence, recklessness, or intentionally wrongful conduct of Golden
Paws or any animal provided or utilized by Golden Paws in the performance of this agreement.
The duty to defend under this section is independent and separate from the duty to indemnify,
and the duty to defend exists regardless of any ultimate liability of Golden Paws, Collier County,
and any indemnified party. The duty to defend arises immediately upon presentation of a claim
by any party and written notice of such claim being provided to Golden Paws. Golden Paws'
obligation to indemnify and defend under this section will survive the expiration of earlier
termination of this Agreement until it is determined by final judgment that an action against the
County or an indemnified party for the matter indemnified hereunder is fully and finally barred
by the applicable statute of limitations.
Golden Paws shall provide the insurance required by the Collier County's Risk Management
Department and shall provide evidence of such insurance when requested by Collier County.
III. Effective Date, Automatic Renewal, and Modification:
The provisions of this Memorandum of Understanding will be effective from the date approved
by the Board of County Commissioners for a period of three (3) years. At the end of the three-
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16.E.4.a
year (3) period, this Memorandum of Understanding will automatically renew for an additional
term of one year, unless terminated as provided in Paragraph IV of this Memorandum of
Understanding. Both Parties have the authority to amend provisions of this Memorandum of
Understanding upon the mutual consent and by written instrument executed by the Parties.
IV. Termination: Either party may terminate this Memorandum of Understanding without
cause by providing the other party with seven (7) days written notice to the other party.
AS TO COUNTY:
ATTEST:
CRYSTAL K. KINZEL, CLERK
By:
, Deputy Clerk
Approved as to form and legality:
Sally A. Ashkar
Assistant County Attorneygl&
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AS TO GOLDEN PAWS ASSISTANCE DOGS:
[22-EMS-01149/1761295/1
3
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA
Rick LoCastro, CHAIRMAN
GOLDEN PAWS ASSISTANCE DOGS,
INC.:
U
Print Name: Jeannie C. Bates
Title: CEO
Date: 01.27.2023
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