Los Angeles dog recognized for heroic work during Southern California wildfires

During the devastating Los Angeles wildfires this year, while firefighters battled flames and families scrambled to evacuate, Rudy, a six-year-old Standard Poodle from Chatsworth, was quietly offering comfort in the chaos. The therapy dog spent hours at emergency command and evacuation centers, moving between first responders and displaced residents, easing tension and providing reassurance.

“His presence brought comfort to leadership, first responders and families affected by the crisis, showing the true heart of a hero,” the American Humane Society said in a profile of Rudy.

Rudy, a certified member of the LAPD Therapy Dog Program, has long worked alongside law enforcement and first responders, providing emotional support to victims, emergency personnel, and anyone caught in a crisis.