Isaias Soto
•6/12/2026
Lee County Domestic Animal Services held specialized training at Dog Beach on Lovers Key, practicing techniques to safely rescue pets and wildlife from the water during emergencies.Several dogs were enjoying a beach day, including Rocky, a 6-year-old Cavalier King Charles spaniel and poodle mix, with his owner, Jeff Eberly.“Rocky, 6 years old. He's a cavapoo, Cavalier, King Charles spaniel and poodle,” Eberly said. Eberly shared his thoughts on the importance of such training, saying, “If a storm came along and our dog was to come up missing, we would be devastated. You know, he's a member of the community, just like people are.” Emergency crews used an inflatable dog to simulate an animal in distress, focusing on maneuvering boats into position, placing dog harnesses and securing crates. Eric Thompson of Lee County Domestic Animal Services explained the significance of the training, saying, “First responders work with animal services during disasters because we know that people will not leave their pets behind. It has been proven ever since Hurricane Katrina.” The training also included refreshing life-saving skills for rescuing people stranded in flooding waters.Alain Gagnon of the Fort Myers Police Department said, “Well, it's basically to get us prepared for the next big one or next hurricane with flooding. This training focuses on animals, which is something we didn't have in the past.” Residents expressed their appreciation for the efforts to protect pets during emergencies.“I remember after the last hurricane, there was a lot of stranded animals. And I think that's something that was really worth the effort to do,” said Ed Bueno, a Lee County resident. Don Stoner, another Lee County resident, added, “I think there's definitely some specialized training needed for rescuing animals, especially when the animals get scared and get frightened. I think that's awesome that they're training to help rescue them.” Representatives from multiple agencies participated in the comprehensive classroom field training. Lee County officials say the training was paid for by a grant awarded by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
