Dick and Rodney take on the FFC Conference!

Hello! I’m Samantha, a local EMS provider in Calaveras County!

For those of you who know Richard “Dick” Brown, I really have to say so little. You just KNOW. For those of you who don’t, Dick is one of Calaveras County’s Fire Chaplains. He’s the one us first responders call to help you through the loss of your loved one. He’s the one us first responders call to help US with particularly tough calls. He’s just the one you call. I can’t tell you how many times Dick has shown up and brought instant relief with him, just by being there.

The first time I met Dick, I had just wrapped up a particularly rough call. I was having a moment to myself in one of the supply rooms at the hospital. I was leaning over the sink with my face in my hands and after a little while I felt a hand on my shoulder. I assumed it was my partner and started pulling myself together. When I finally straightened and turned around, there was Dick who immediately pulled me into an embrace and held me as I began to cry again. He didn’t know me. I didn’t know him. But what a difference he made with such a simple gesture. One I will never forget.

In recent years, Dick adopted Rodney, to be both his own therapy dog and a therapy dog to the public. They make their rounds at the hospital, the firehouses, the ambulance stations, and just about anywhere they are needed. I don’t know that there is any distance they won’t travel, nor any time they won’t respond. The comfort they bring (both together and separately) and the service they provide is unmatched.

I’m starting this fundraiser because Dick and Rodney were invited this year to the Federation of Fire Chaplains Conference in Florida to speak to chaplains from all over the country and Canada about therapy dogs and chaplaincy. Dick was reluctant to ask for or accept help, but we agreed that his voice needs to be heard and that both he and Roney can make such a huge difference! Any amount you can donate is greatly appreciated! All donations will go directly to Dick and Rodney for travel expenses, lodging, food, etc. If you are unable to donate, please consider sharing so that the word can get out and we can send our boys to Florida! Thank you for reading!

Additional information about the Conference can be found at: https://ffc.wildapricot.org/ under the "2023 FFC Conference" tab!