Blitz the therapy dog supporting Northstate first responders

CORNING, Calif. — As a community, we rely on our everyday heroes, from firefighters to police, to keep us safe and healthy. But who helps these heroes when they’re in distress? Our latest addition to our K9 Heroes, Blitz the mini-Australian Shepherd, does exactly that by supporting first responders as a therapy dog across the Northstate in their times of need.

“We don’t do assemblies or stuff like that. He doesn’t know tricks," said Blitz's owner Jeff Nelson. "That’s not what I want. I don’t want a one-trick pony. I want a dog that knows what he’s supposed to do and does it well, and, like I said, that’s why we get asked to do many things.“

Blitz and Nelson have spent over five years operating as volunteers for the nationwide non-profit First Responder Therapy Dogs. Nelson shared he was inspired by therapy dogs that supported his wife after the Rancho-Tehama mass shooting in 2017, where she was a teacher.

“After seeing what the dogs did for my wife and all the school kids and all that, it makes a difference," Nelson explained. "Think about the burliest fireman you’ve ever seen, or the toughest chick coming off the fire line, and they’re rolling around in the grass baby talking it.“

In over 200 visits across the Northstate, Blitz has supported police, medical personnel, veterans and even firefighters on major wildfires like the Park Fire — even being awarded a medal from the American Kennel Club in honor of his work.

“I wish I could give you an answer for why that guy is rolling around in the grass, baby-talking that dog, but it works. We go to the next fire, and people are yelling across the compound, ‘There’s Blitz! Hey, Blitz is here!’”

For Nelson, a former teacher and current Corning volunteer firefighter, helping fellow first responders is a dream come true — one he continues to pursue as 11-year-old Blitz nears retirement.

“It's just nice to be able to know I got something that makes other people feel good and happy, and if I can share that, then that’s great,“ Nelson concluded.

Blitz and Nelson will be at Elk Lodge #423 in Chico on Saturday, October 3, for the annual Butte County Veterans Stand Down event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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Blitz the therapy dog supporting Northstate first responders

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