Frank T. Shane CTS, BCETS
Frank is the CEO and Executive Director of the K-9 Disaster Relief Foundation and curriculum director of the K-9 Disaster Relief Academy. He is a Canine Trainer and Trauma Specialist in disaster relief services and Board Certified Expert in Traumatic Stress. His life has been devoted to humanitarian causes. Frank and his canine partner "Nikie" were the only credentialed team to provide Canine Disaster Relief Services on WTC - Ground Zero.
Frank Shane has been featured on national media - including NBC Nightly News, Today Show, CNN, ABC, CBS, PBS, NPR, Discovery Channel and Animal Planet. His work has been featured in several books, including: Hero Dogs: Courageous Canines in Action the 10th anniversary book - "9/11: Stories of Courage, Heroism and Generosity." On September 11th, Frank and his new canine partner "Chance" was featured internationally on Animal Planet: "Hero Dog's of 9/11."
The K-9 Disaster Relief Foundation
K-9 Disaster Relief is a Non-Profit 501 (c) 3 Humanitarian Foundation. It’s mission is to "help traumatized victims of a disaster through canine crisis intervention."
Utilizing canines, this is achieved with handlers trained in Canine Disaster Relief Services - CDRS. K-9 Disaster Relief provides courses, workshops and seminars through its education and K-9 Disaster Relief Academy.
For over ten years the organization has partnered and collaborated with the United States Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Project Liberty, Project Recovery, American Red Cross Disaster Mental Health and Human Services, Salvation Army Disaster Services, and state/county government agencies, airlines, labor unions, industry, private companies and local communities.
K-9 Disaster Relief brings to bear combined resources and expertise in trauma and crisis intervention to meet the immediate and ongoing psychological needs of victims in crisis.
Canine Disaster Relief Services ~ CDRS
The most comprehensive course recognized by government, NGO, disaster relief organizations and agencies . . . and the acedemic community. Over a ten year period of disaster response, the CDRS course is designed to present the core concepts of a comprehensive, systematic and multi-component canine crisis and trauma intervention curriculum combined with Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM). The one-day interactive course will: a) Distinguish the differences between traditional animal assisted activities, animal assisted therapy and canine disaster relief services; b) Demonstrate the immediacy of providing crisis intervention to victims of a disaster, when a canine is utilized as a “transitional object” by handlers trained in Critical Incident Stress Management; c) Identify how the canine provides “common ground” to establish a therapeutic alliance with victims who have experienced acute trauma and/or significant loss; d) Teach how to work with a canine individually or within a multi-disciplinary Integrated Care Team providing crisis intervention to victims of a critical incident; e) Present the protocol on how to incorporate the utilization of Canine Disaster Relief Services by individuals with, or without a canine, who are part of a multi-disciplinary Outreach Care Team or CISM Team.
This course qualifies for Continuing Education Credits
Canine Crisis Intervention ~ CCI
Canine Crisis Intervention (CCI) is not psychotherapy, rather it is a specialized acute emergency psychological crisis intervention using canines as "transitional objects." The model has been used in over a hundred disasters in the last ten years. It evolved over the eight month period that K-9 Disaster Relief provided Canine Crisis Intervention services on WTC - Ground Zero.
This disaster relief technique requires specialized training. Individuals wishing to advance their training skills in disaster relief are required to first take the course in Canine Disaster Relief Services - CDRS. As physical first-aid is to surgery, canine crisis intervention is to individuals suffering from traumatic stress caused by a critical incident or disaster. The Canine Crisis Intervention technique is sometimes called “emotional first-aid.”
Most crisis interventions are typically done individually (one-on-one). This two day course is designed to teach participants the fundamentals of, and a specific protocol for, individual canine crisis intervention working one-on-one with traumatized victims.
At the completion of this two day certificate course, participants will be able to: List the fundamental principals of canine crisis intervention; Describe common symptoms after trauma; Demonstrate canine crisis intervention techniques; and List risk factors that require a higher level of structured care.
This course qualifies for Continuing Education Credits
Who Should Attend
Animal Assisted Therapy and Animal Assisted Activities Organizations; Veterinarians; Vet-Techs; SPCA; Humane Society; Search & Rescue Teams; CISM Teams; Disaster Response Personnel; Department of Homeland Security Personnel; FEMA; Office of Emergency Management; Law Enforcement; Fire-Fighters; American Red Cross Disaster Mental Health; Salvation Army Disaster Services; Crisis Workers; Psychologists; Counselors; Social Workers; Grief Counselors; Faith-based providers; Pastoral Care; Law-Enforcement; EMTs/Paramedics; nurses and healthcare professionals; Teachers; School Administration.
The K-9 For Kids program was established in 2001. Lisa Gallo of Brooklyn, New York lost her brother in the South WTC Tower. She was coming to St. Paul's church on Broadway. The church is the closest point to Ground Zero. The fence around the church had thousands of pictures posted by victim families looking for relatives, family, friends and co-workers. Nikie was laying on the sidewalk getting ready to have protective boots put on his paws. Lisa, a teacher at PS 120 in Brooklyn, knelt down and spent personal moments with Nikie. A few weeks later she sent a letter asking if he would come visit her children in the school. It was a wonderful and uplifting day for the children and Nikie. He was invited to public schools in all five boroughs of New York City. Over several months through K-9 Disaster Relief, Nikie and many other canines visited over 4,000 children. The became "K-9 for Kids" and became recognized throughout the United States.
Special K-9 for Kids pins were designed and given out to children affected by disasters. There is no membership requirement or cost for children to become members ~ they are asked help others in need and do just one special thing to make the world a better place. Over the past 11 years, thousands of children across the United States and many countries are reaching out to help others. The proverb of K-9 for Kids is "It is better to light one candle than curse the darkness." Thanks to these children - the world is a brighter place.
National Speaking, Lectures, Workshops and Keynote Addresses
The K-9 Disaster Relief Foundation offers a wide array of lectures, workshops, speakers and keynote addresses.
Books, Publications and Documentary Productions
Though it is far easier to remember the horrific attacks on September 11, 2001 as a confirmation that evil exists in the world, 9/11: Stories of Courage, Heroism and Generosity challenges us to look for the intrinsic good in people, especially in the difficult moments surrounding a crisis. This hardcover book helps to change our expectations of humanity, reminding us that if you look for the good in people, you won’t need to search very long at all. As the 10-year anniversary of that terrible day approaches, we feel it necessary to “acknowledge and salute” the overwhelming demonstrations of goodness among ordinary citizens. With contributions from former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former New York Governor George Pataki, 9/11: Stories of Courage, Heroism and Generosity is a compilation of the random acts of kindness, too often overlooked in times of crisis. The work of K-9 Disaster Relief on WTC Ground Zero is featured, and tells the story of Nikie. With an introduction from Tim Zagat, this touching tribute will inspire readers “to remember the good residing in all of us." For more information on purchasing this book ~ contact K-9 Disaster Relief or Zagat Publishing.
The Human Animal Bond
