Natalie's Everyday Heroes: K9 Tesla Foundation gets new recruit
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The K9 Tesla Foundation is welcoming its newest recruit.
Lucia is a labrador retriever who will continue Tesla's work as a therapy dog, providing comfort to first responders.
We talked to founder Matthew Haerter about opening his heart to a new dog.
"Oh, that was perfect, good," said Mya Masse, demonstrating a training move.
At 4 months old, Lucia is a quick study.
"We spin them outwards," Masse said.
It will take about a year for her to be fully trained.
"Good!" Masse exclaimed.
But she's off to a good start.
"I really want to make puppy have fun in the job they're doing," Masse said.
Masse is president and head trainer at Partners with Paws Service Dogs.
"We just look for a dog who is confident. A dog who is -- obviously can't be afraid of people," she explained.
Which Lucia clearly isn't, as she went to investigate our camera.
"She's just been incredible," said Matthew Haerter.
Lucia is Haerter's first puppy after losing his partner at the Lake Country Fire Department-- K9 Tesla-- in April of last year.
"This all started, actually, only a couple of days after Tesla died," he said of the time it took to get Lucia.
"I saw Tesla died; I wanted to reach out just to say my condolences," Masse said of the way she and Haerter connected.
The two kept talking.
"All of a sudden, two years goes by and it just seemed like our hearts were open to be able to do something again," he said.
With Masse's help, he got Lucia, who's now learning the skills she'll need to fill some pretty big paws.
"Break," Masse commanded.
She'll have all the skills to comfort first responders.
"When a dog shows up and snuggles on your lap after you've had a bad call or takes care of you prior to going on one so you're ready to unpack that when it's most needed, it's just irreplaceable," Haerter said of the jobs service dogs do assisting first responders.
The hope is that she's the first of many.
The K9 Tesla Foundation aims to fund therapy dog programs for first responders across the country.
"We want other people to be able to do that times 10, times a hundred, times a thousand," he said.
Lucia has a lot of training ahead to get the skills she'll need.
"She's like getting so tired now," Masse said with a smile.
So, for now, she's also just enjoying being a puppy.
"She loves the donkeys," Haerter said, taking her out into the field where they graze.
She's hanging out with the donkeys on Haerter's farm.
And she'll be ready to get to work when the time comes.
"They're just absolutely incredible animals who know what's up and know how to take care of humans," he said.
Partners with Paws granted Lucia to the K9 Tesla Foundation.
And the foundation is less than two months away from awarding its first dog to another agency.
So far, they've gotten 150 requests from agencies across the country.
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If you'd like to nominate an Everyday Hero, send Natalie a message at [email protected].