What does AACR mean in UNCLASSIFIED

Animal Assisted Crisis Response (AACR) is a form of animal-assisted therapy that focuses on disaster relief and crisis intervention. AACR includes the use of animals in medical response, mental health response, grief counseling, search-and-rescue operations and more.

Animals provide a sense of comfort to those affected by trauma or tragedy, while their handlers help guide them through their stressful situation. They can also be used to provide practical assistance, such as searching for survivors in search-and-rescue missions or providing vital supplies to those affected by natural disasters.

Any domesticated animal can be used for Animal Assisted Crisis Response; however, dogs are often most favored due to their superior senses and ability to follow commands. Other animals such as cats or horses can be beneficial too depending on the situation and specific needs of those affected.

The handler is responsible for supplying all necessary care for the animal before and during any crisis response mission. They must also ensure that proper safety protocols are followed and that they have adequate resources available in case something unexpected arises during their mission.

Yes, both handlers and the animals receive specialized training prior to engaging in any mission involving AACR. This training consists of both physical preparation as well as psychological preparation so that both parties involved will know how to respond under stress or difficult situations when responding to a crisis.