Eugene weekly., July 28, 2011, Page 13, Image 13

The Furriest
Firefighter
Firedog is much more than a mascot
D
on’t let his sweet brown puppy-
dog eyes fool you. Cody (short
for Fire Code Inspector) isn’t just
another animal mascot who sits on the back
of the fi re engine looking cute for pictures.
This Dalmatian is part of a unique
program called “Fire Safety Fever.” Deputy
Fire Marshal Amy Linder, Cody’s owner
and handler, created the program in Yakima,
Wash., before bringing it to Eugene four
years ago.
Using props such as a giant cell phone
and a smoke detector donated from local
businesses, Cody teaches fi ve important fi re
safety messages: stop, drop and roll; crawl
low under smoke; smoke alarm basics; in
an emergency dial 911; have an escape plan
and meeting place.
Linder says that this program, which
is geared toward fi rst graders, is actually
effective with all children since it grabs
their attention. “If Cody can do it, so can
you,” Linder says.
The 7-year-old pup is also a
registered therapy dog, volunteering with
organizations such as People And Animals
Who Serve (PAAWS) and National Animal
Assisted Crises Response, with a belief that
positive interaction with animals can heal.
Cody also travels to memorials across
the nation to comfort people in process of
grieving. At a recent memorial, Cody was
the only one who could comfort a young
boy who’d just lost his father in the line of
duty — the boy even eked out a small smile
to pose for a picture with Cody.
“A dog is such a normal thing,” Linder
says. “Just that unconditional love and
nonjudgmental aspect that people who
don’t really want to talk or have a hard time
talking about their emotions sometimes
feel overwhelmed,” she says, looking at the
photo of the boy and Cody that now hangs
in her offi ce. “Being able to have a dog
come up and not want to talk … is pretty
cool.”
Cody’s efforts to improve the
community and help others have not gone
unrecognized. In April, Cody was inducted
into the prestigious Oregon Fire Service
Honor Guard, combining his fi re-safety
work and therapy work in representing the
fi re service community.
“It’s cool because he’s the member,
not me,” Linder says. “I wear the Eugene
uniform. They gave him a badge and
uniform. I’m just there because I hold the
other end of the leash.”
Cody has also become a bit of a celebrity
with “Cody Fever,” complete with his
own website, fi re-safety trading cards and
Facebook fan page exploding across the
nation.
From the warmth in her voice as she
describes Cody, the dozens of pictures of
Cody tacked to the walls of her offi ce and
the awards Cody has won that line her
shelves, it is obvious that Linder has Cody
fever too. “He’s awesome. He’s just my best
friend in the world.”
Her favorite time with Cody is their
Saturday morning cuddle session. “Nothing
beats Cody kisses,” Linder says, rubbing
the dog’s neck and kissing his forehead.
But on this dreary July morning,
Cody is taking a break from the hype to
recover from recent spinal surgery. The
surgery sent Cody’s fans and coworkers into
a frenzy of worry, with dozens of Facebook
messages, get-well cards and friendly text
messages sent Linder and Cody’s way. It
even got Linder thinking of getting a sibling
sometime this winter to train and help Cody
with all of his work.
ew
฀
South
Corvallis
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1007 SE 3rd St
(541)753-3115
7-9 Daily
North
Corvallis
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AMY LINDER AND CODY
Full Service Clinic:
NW 29th & Grant
(541)452-3115
7-9 Daily
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PHOTOGRAPH BY TODD COOPER
BY KENDALL FIELDS
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Cameron Jones, DVM
Barbara Maki, DVM
Cary Heyward, DVM
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Appointments Available 8am-6pm Weekdays 9am-4pm Saturday
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EUGENE WEEKLY JULY 28, 2011
13