The unit deploys specially trained therapy dogs alongside psychotrauma responders to help calm victims, reduce anxiety and support people coping with traumatic emergencies.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Lucy and her handler, Batya Yaffe. Credit: United Hatzalah.<\/p>\n In addition to responding to incidents across Israel, Lucy and her handler, United Hatzalah volunteer Batya Yaffe, deployed to Surfside, Fla., following the 2021 collapse<\/a> of the Champlain Towers South condominium, which killed 98 people. There, Lucy provided emotional support to grieving families, first responders and members of the affected community.<\/p>\n \u201cI watched children who were terrified suddenly focus on her, and adults experiencing unimaginable grief reach down to pet her and begin to open up,\u201d Yaffe said. \u201cShe never knew that she was doing something extraordinary. She simply gave people love when they needed it most.\u201d<\/p>\n The canine program Lucy helped establish has since grown to include dozens of specially trained dogs that continue the mission of \u201cbringing hope, comfort and healing to those in need,\u201d United Hatzalah stated.<\/p>\n \u201cAt the scene of a tragedy, there are wounds that cannot be seen,\u201d United Hatzalah founder and president Eli Beer said. \u201cLucy was special because she saw the pain and instinctively knew how to help reach those people.\u201d<\/p>\n ![\"Lucy](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1786133771_47_.webp\")
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