Brandon and K-9 Rikki

My name is Brandon and I’m a Saint Paul firefighter and paramedic. I’ve been with the department for 5 years, and I love my job. Growing up in South Minneapolis, it was just me, my dad, and the dogs we had over the years. We were extremely close. When I was 23, I found my dad dead in his apartment, his dog cuddled up and watching over him. Mpls fire was first on the scene. Out of everyone who showed up that day, they stick out in my mind as being the most supportive. It rocked my world and sent me into "autopilot" where I developed all sorts of self-destructive coping mechanisms. The passing of my father, and the fire department that day, inspired me to get into emergency medicine and firefighting. Unfortunately, those two things are also a source of a lot of traumas due to unprocessed emotions and the nature of the job. These days, I'm in therapy, and I have two wonderful boys who I co-parent with my ex-wife. My job and mental health took a toll on my relationship and ultimately led to my divorce. I want to avoid the self-destructive coping mechanisms I've used in the past and instead find companionship and a healthy routine with a service dog. Dogs are like family to me. I also plan to hone my training skills and bring my dog to places they may benefit, like other stations, schools and senior care facilities.