Therapy in the form of wet kisses and soft fur reached hurricane victims as crisis response dogs from Nebraska and across the country helped survivors cope with the disasters this week.

Gale Lothrop, of Crete, and Lisa Ashby, of Seward, were invited by the American Red Cross to work with hurricane survivors and rescue personnel in Houston and Beaumont, Texas. The pair, along with Ashby’s black Labrador retriever, Sadie, left Oct. 1 and will return in mid-October.

Both women are volunteers with Noah’s Assistance Dogs in Crete, and  Lothrop said she has been coordinating similar crisis response teams since Hurricane Katrina hit.

Noah’s is a nonprofit organization that trains guide, service, therapy and crisis response dogs. It is a member of the national Animal Assisted Crisis Response group based in Oregon.

About four other Noah’s-trained teams are in hurricane-stricken areas to help evacuees.

Sadie and other Noah’s crisis response canines are certified in animal behavior, critical incident stress management, crisis response procedures, incident command systems and crisis mental health. Owner and pooch must take a 45-hour canine crisis response course in Crete before being certified.

In addition, each team has experience in real or simulated disaster situations and understands the special needs of people and animals in high-stress disaster situations, said Mike Renner, founder and director of Noah’s.

“Our dogs provide an emotional bridge,” Renner said. “They don’t know about the disaster that caused pain, but they know how to interact with people. Canine support provides wordless warmth, touching comfort and a brief respite.”

Noah’s canine crisis response teams were on hand after the tornado struck Hallam in May 2004.

“When we set out to do this program four years ago, it came from a need within our community,” Renner said. “It’s grown now so that we help people all over the country. It’s humbling really. But it’s the dogs that really step forward and make a difference.”

Reach Jonnie Taté Finn at 473-7395 or tfinn@journalstar.com.