providing emotional support to firefighters and emergency medical personnel during critical incidents
Lieutenant/Paramedic Pete Patellis, a 24-year veteran of Brevard County Fire Rescue, serves as a member of the Florida Firefighters Safety and Health Collaborative (FFSHC) Crisis Response K9 Team alongside his therapy dog, Apollo.
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA — A Brevard County Fire Rescue lieutenant and his four-legged partner are being recognized for their ongoing efforts to support the mental health and well-being of first responders throughout Florida.
Lieutenant/Paramedic Pete Patellis, a 24-year veteran of Brevard County Fire Rescue, serves as a member of the Florida Firefighters Safety and Health Collaborative (FFSHC) Crisis Response K9 Team alongside his therapy dog, Apollo.
Since joining the program in 2023, Apollo has worked alongside Patellis to provide emotional support to firefighters, emergency medical personnel, law enforcement officers, and other first responders during critical incidents, peer support activations, and disaster response deployments.
The team has participated in deployments following Hurricanes Helene and Milton, as well as peer support operations in Orlando, Seminole, and Lake County.
They have also responded to numerous local critical incidents and first responder wellness initiatives.
Patellis also serves as an FFSHC K9 Evaluator, helping assess and mentor future Crisis Response K9 teams throughout the state.
In addition, he serves as the organization’s K9 Team Social Media Lead, helping to highlight the work of crisis-response handlers and their canine partners across Florida.
Apollo has earned multiple certifications, including designation as an FFSHC Crisis Response K9, registration as a therapy dog through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, and American Kennel Club certifications in Therapy Dog, STAR Puppy, and Canine Good Citizen.
Patellis has completed extensive training in peer support, resilience, and crisis response, including programs offered by UCF RESTORES, the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), Boulder Crest’s Struggle Well program, the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
He is also certified in K9 First Aid and CPR and holds Fire Officer II and Fire Instructor I certifications.
Officials with the Florida Firefighters Safety and Health Collaborative said the team’s dedication, training, and commitment have made Patellis and Apollo a trusted resource for first responders facing challenging and often traumatic situations.
Beyond emergency deployments, the pair regularly participates in department outreach events, responder recovery programs, and wellness initiatives designed to support the mental health of those serving on the front lines.
The organization praised Patellis and Apollo for their continued service and commitment to Florida’s first responder community.
