This is an article by Susan Cohen, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, June 4, 2025.
Service dogs do far more than guide or retrieve—they are medical equipment, trained to monitor, alert, and even intervene during a health crisis. For first responders, understanding these working dogs can mean the difference between life and death.
Learn how service dogs can be partners in emergency response.
Listen on
Susan Cohen
Susan Cohen, M.Ed., is a communications leader with many years of experience in journalism, public relations, marketing, strategic communication, and multimedia storytelling. She is currently a communications manager for a nonprofit organization that specializes in education resources and network infrastructure, supporting healthcare and education across Utah. Additionally, she teaches communications and visual arts at Salt Lake Community College. In her career, Susan has covered breaking news, natural disasters, and high-stakes events—experiences that deepened her respect for first responders and their critical role in keeping communities safe and informed. Armed with a master’s in educational psychology from the University of Utah, Susan combines strategic vision with frontline communication skills. She has seven years of experience working with her service dog Wrangler.
