- April 24, 2024
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Retired Volusia County Firefighter Kevin Rawlins never thought he needed a service dog.
That all changed when Palm Coast resident Lauren Driscoll introduced him to Dalton. Driscoll is the director of the Flagler chapter of Paws of War, a nonprofit organization that provides and trains service dogs to veterans and first responders. She met Rawlins and his wife through her dog obedience school, Pet Peeves, and when they got involved in Paws of War, she saw Rawlins' need for a service dog before he did.
In March, Rawlins was overcoming his last surgery when Driscoll asked him to foster Dalton for a few weeks. It only took one for Rawlins to fall in love with him. Ironically, Rawlins' middle name is Dalton as well. Aside from emotional support, Dalton will help Rawlins pick up things that are out of reach for him.
“He’s going to be my hands, if you will,” Rawlins said.
Driscoll started her work with Paws of War as a dog trainer in the original chapter in Suffolk County in 2010. Due to her involvement, she was allowed to start a chapter in Florida, which works with the whole state.
At this moment, Paws of War is helping 30 veterans and first responders train their service dogs at no cost. Driscoll matches a shelter dog with their new owner, ensuring that both of their needs are met. Training takes anywhere from six months to a year, and those participating in the program commit themselves to attending each weekly session.
“We’re saving both ends of the leash because these dogs need homes," Driscoll said. "A lot of them are great, but they wind up in a shelter, and then we have veterans who need just something to help them get up in the morning.”
Driscoll currently conducts training classes in front of her home in the cul-de-sac of her street. It's not ideal due to extreme weather conditions, especially in the summer. She's in need of an indoor facility, not just for the dogs, but for the veterans and first responders that also have to participate in the classes.
She would like to expand the program and help more people.
“It’s such a gratifying feeling watching the transformation of the veteran, because a lot of times they don’t realize how much they really need the dog," Driscoll said.
Rawlins will be the first firefighter in the state to graduate from the Paws of War program, and a celebration will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 8, at Houligans in Ormond Beach in his honor.
A few of Rawlins' former fellow firefighters will be in attendance, and he hopes that some of them will realize that they may be in need of a service dog too. As first responders, Rawlins said they often have a different mindset about asking for help due to the nature of their jobs. He wants to show that having a service dog is not a sign of weakness.
“And that’s how the ball gets rolling," Driscoll said. "There’s always one person that has to start and stand up and give them that, ‘Look! Look what this dog is doing for me. Maybe you need one too.’”
