Rescue dog Zeus joins San Antonio Fire Department to support firefighters

Published on June 29, 2026

SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Fire Department has officially welcomed its newest team member, and he has four legs, a wagging tail and an important mission.

Zeus, a 6-year-old Black Lab mix rescued from a South Carolina shelter, was sworn in during a badge pinning ceremony Thursday as SAFD’s new therapy dog.

Trained by K9s For Warriors, Zeus is a retired service dog who now works alongside Firefighter and Peer Support Team Lead Matt Valdez, providing emotional support to firefighters and first responders coping with the stresses of the job.

Since joining the department in May, Zeus has already become a comforting presence for crews. The station dog program, provided at no cost through K9s For Warriors, has placed nearly 100 therapy dogs with first responder agencies nationwide.

After receiving his official SAFD badge, Zeus thanked the firefighters, department leaders, K9s For Warriors and his family in a lighthearted social media post, saying he’s ready to get to work “one visit, one wag, and one firefighter at a time.”