Season 3, Episode 14: K9's for Freedom with Janeen Baggette

What if one of the most powerful tools for helping first responders survive trauma… had four paws?In this episode of 8158: Stories of Sacrifice, Rico sits down with Janeen Baggette, a combat veteran, former law enforcement officer, and founder of the nonprofit Canines for Freedom and Independence. Janeen shares how her experiences in the military and law enforcement exposed her to the toxic culture and mental health struggles many first responders face—and how that led her to build a program designed to change that.Through her organization, Janeen rescues dogs and trains them as Critical Incident Response Team canines, placing them with agencies across the country to support first responders during some of the most traumatic moments of their careers. These highly trained dogs help reduce stress, calm chaotic scenes, and create a safe space for responders to decompress after critical incidents.In this powerful conversation, Janeen talks about:🐕 How rescued dogs are trained to support first responders in crisis🚔 The hidden mental health struggles inside law enforcement and emergency services🧠 Why early intervention after traumatic incidents can save lives🤝 The importance of real support—not just showing up after tragedy strikes💙 Her mission to rebuild the sense of community that first responders deserveJaneen’s work is changing the way agencies approach wellness and peer support—one dog, one handler, and one life at a time.Because sometimes the strongest support on the toughest days… comes with a wagging tail.💙 Support the mission:Donate to the William H. “Bill” Butler Jr. Foundation:🔗 https://www.8158podcast.com/donatepodcast-1🌐 Website:🔗 https://www.8158podcast.com🎙 Want to be a guest?Schedule an interview here:🔗 https://www.8158podcast.com/appointments-4📢 Join our community & get exclusive content:🔗 http://Patreon.com/8158podcast