Stress is part of nearly every job, but some careers experience it on a whole different level. For first responders — those who run toward emergencies rather than away from them — stress isn’t an occasional visitor; it’s a constant companion. That’s why Rapid City Fire Chief Jason Culberson and Rapid City Police Chief Don Hedrick have made mental wellness a top priority for their departments.
One of their most well-loved (and furriest) wellness initiatives comes in the form of two beloved canine companions: Dexter and Benny. Chief Culberson’s golden retriever, Dexter — who even has his own social media following — has become something of a celebrity around the fire stations. He’s known for wagging his way into hearts and lowering blood pressure along the way.
“The whole idea behind it,” Chief Culberson explained, “is our employees’ health and wellness. Over the last five years, many fire and police departments have started having a therapy dog come in because it’s been proven to lower blood pressure and improve heart rate.”
Benny, like Dexter, is a certified Canine Good Citizen through the American Kennel Club. These dogs have passed a standardized test demonstrating good manners, obedience, and the ability to behave reliably in everyday social and public situations. Benny and Dexter’s presences obviously bring smiles and joy, but they also bring
something deeper wherever they go.
“First responders, unfortunately, go through a lot of difficult things,” Chief Hedrick said. “And having a dog around just really helps our
folks relax a bit and reset, so they can carry on with their day.”
That ability to “reset” is crucial. Both chiefs agree that emphasizing wellness for their first responders — through a variety of initiatives —
is essential for continued success in community safety.
In a growing community like Rapid City, calls for service
continue to rise, adding layers of complexity to an already
demanding profession. “For us as first responders, it takes years of planning to make sure we have the resources needed to serve our communities,” Chief Hedrick said. “And I’m pretty thankful we have city leaders who have been very supportive and understand the need for that as our community continues to grow.”
Chief Culberson echoed that gratitude, not just for city leadership, but for the community itself. “We have such a giving community,” he said. “They show it every time we go out there and ask for help. They’re always there to provide, help, give — whatever this community needs. It really is both our public safety folks and the public who are putting in the time and effort. And that’s what makes this such a great place to live.”
In Rapid City, those who run toward crisis know that caring for themselves — and each other — is one of the keys to serving the community. And sometimes, that care begins with a wagging tail
and a moment of calm.
Pictured: Chief Culberson and Dexter, Chief Hedrick and Benny
Rapid City Police Department
300 Kansas City Street, Suite 302
Rapid City, SD 57701
rcgov.org/departments/police-department.html
Rapid City Fire Department
10 Main Street
Rapid City, SD 57701
rcgov.org/departments/fire-department.html
