By: Gillian Janda, American Red Cross

Serving your community is something many admire, but few people have the dedication and passion to serve like Kris and Shane Carney. Kris and Shane have been running their therapy dog non-profit, 348 Golden Angels, since 2022, helping over 1700 people since April 2023. Through 348 Golden Angels, they have brought much-needed comfort and smiles to those who need it most, including first responders, veterans, and children in crisis. They are now working alongside the Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces, a branch focusing on assisting active duty and retired members of our military and their families, and allows Kris and Shane to follow their motto of “serving those who serve us.”
 

It is the same commitment to serving others that serve us, and appreciation of first responders, that led them to seek involvement with the Red Cross. However, Shane Carney, who served in the Air Force for 23 years, originally contacted the Red Cross in hopes of expanding their reach to first responders.
 

“We started our non-profit when my brother-in-law, Dan Patterson, who was a firefighter in Spokane Valley, passed away. There was a therapy dog that came and saw us in the hospital while we were waiting to find out if he was going to come out of the coma—if everything was going to be alright,” Kris Carney, co-founder of 348 Golden Angels, recounted in an interview. “And it took weeks, a couple of weeks before the determination was made that he was not going to make it.”
 

“That therapy dog…” Kris continued, “changed the mood of everyone in the room. And that’s why we started doing therapy dogs.”

It was during those weeks that Kris and Shane Carney experienced firsthand how much of an impact a therapy dog could have, and were inspired to make a difference. The name they chose combines Dan’s badge number, 348, with the breed of their dogs, which are golden retrievers.

348 Golden Angels has come a long way since its founding in 2022. The organization currently has two certified therapy dogs; Mango, who was the organization's first therapy dog certified in October 2022, and her half-sister Rayne who joined the team in 2023.

Some of the many places that receive frequent visits are the Spokane Veterans Home and the Spokane VA Medical Center. These visits are described by Kris as rewarding.
 

“We love it, it brings joy to us too, just seeing everybody's face smile. You know, they smile when we walk in the room,” said Kris. “In their face, they light up. It is more expression than people are used to seeing just because a dog walked in the room.”

But veterans are not the only ones that therapy dogs Mango and Rayne visit. The organization also makes bi-weekly visits to 911 dispatchers as well as to the Crisis Residential Center in Spokane, which provides shelter and resources for youths in crisis from ages 12 to 17.
 

“There is not a teenager that doesn't like dogs, really,” Kris said, “the talk two days before and the talk two days after are all about the dog that came.”

348 Golden Angels has made a notable impact according to Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces Regional Program manager Kris Horsley.
 

“Our Animal visitation programs offer a unique opportunity for people to connect with animals, providing a ‘fur fix’ that can greatly enhance their comfort and well-being,” said Horsley. “These visits deliver measurable benefits to mental and physical health, offering noticeable improvements for those who are hospitalized, undergoing treatment, or participating in military and veteran activities.’’

Even with the incredible work they have been doing, Kris and Shane have further ambitions with 348, hoping to reach even more first responders.
 

“Our biggest thing is we would love to have:” Kris said, “Regular visits, like we said, with the police and fire department in addition to our military visits, because we want to help all first responders.”

Kris and Shane Carney began their organization not only with a purpose, but a passion. 348 Golden Angels has a bright future ahead of them, helping people in the Spokane community and beyond. If you would like to reach out to them or learn more about their mission, they can be found on their website at https://www.348goldenangels.org. They also can be contacted on their Instagram at 348_golden_angels_therapyk9 and on their Facebook page, 348 golden angels.