John Hunt is a highly distinguished veteran with 27 years of exemplary service in the New Jersey State Police (NJSP), where he attained the rank of Major. Throughout his esteemed career at NJSP, he held significant positions, including Commanding Officer of the Homeland Security – Special Operations Section and Deputy Director at the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management. Additionally, John was a long-standing member of the New Jersey State Police T.E.A.M.S. Unit (Technical Emergency and Mission Specialist).
His professional contributions are highlighted by the publication of two articles regarding New Jersey’s Operation L.E.A.D. (Louisiana Emergency Assistance Deployment), where he served as the Commanding Officer overseeing the deployment of over 400 personnel to New Orleans. This deployment was carried out under a FEMA EMAC (Emergency Management Assistance Compact) directive aimed at supporting communities affected by Hurricane Katrina. EMAC represents a national interstate mutual aid agreement designed to facilitate resource sharing among states during times of disaster. Over a five-week period, John adeptly led the New Jersey team throughout the New Orleans area, demonstrating exceptional leadership in a challenging environment.
As the Co-Founder of Crisis Response Canines, a national nonprofit organization, John oversees a network of over 120 certified K9 teams across the United States. These teams provide essential support to first responders, healthcare professionals, and communities impacted by critical incidents through the integration of psychological first aid and ICISF Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM).
John is a recognized leader in developing innovative intervention models and K9 team certifications. His pioneering efforts have gained widespread recognition and adoption among professionals in various fields, including emergency response, healthcare, and education. He has authored numerous scholarly articles on Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) and the implementation of diverse canine-assisted activities, utilizing his extensive professional experience to offer valuable insights.
As a faculty member of the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF), John plays an integral role in advancing the field, co-authoring the ICISF Animal-Assisted Crisis Response & CISM curriculum. He has also contributed to higher education as an adjunct professor, teaching several master’s degree-level courses at Seton Hall University. A certified K9 trainer, John co-owns Animal Assist Canine Academy and Community Resource K-9s, specializing in training Working Service Canines and Facility and Station Canines for first responders, educational institutions, and healthcare organizations.
In his professional pursuits, John collaborates closely with law enforcement agencies, firefighters, educational institutions, and community organizations to facilitate the training and deployment of handlers and their canines as Community Resource Canines. He founded Animal Assist Workplace Wellbeing, an initiative designed to promote regular interactions and support for first responders, healthcare professionals, and school personnel. In response to traumatic or extraordinary events, John and his trained canines are engaged to help alleviate situations and participate in debriefings organized by their partner organizations when appropriate.
John is a highly regarded consultant and speaker, recognized for his dynamic presentations on a diverse array of significant topics. His areas of expertise include workplace violence, active shooter preparedness, workplace well-being, human trafficking, Critical Incident Stress Management, Animal-Assisted Intervention activities, and strategies for resilience, resistance, and recovery. His profound knowledge and engaging style make him a valuable asset for organizations and communities seeking guidance on vital issues.
John is dedicated to enhancing his education in the realm of animal-assisted intervention and crisis response. He has attained several professional certifications, including a QPR Suicide Prevention Instructor, Disaster Relief Crisis Counselor, Active Shooter Instructor, and a Trauma Response and Crisis Intervention Certificate from Rutgers University. Furthermore, he is recognized as a Certified Animal-Assisted Intervention Professional.
John has demonstrated exceptional commitment to the first responder community, receiving numerous prestigious accolades. These honors include the President’s Lifetime Volunteer Service Award, a United States Congressional Proclamation acknowledging his extraordinary volunteerism, the New Jersey Governor’s Jefferson Award, a Joint Resolution from the New Jersey State Senate, and the New Jersey State Police Former Trooper of the Year Award. Additionally, he has been bestowed with the ICISF Pioneering Spirit Award.
John’s contributions to the field of therapy dogs have gained notable recognition. Two of his canines have received national honors, including the prestigious Award for Canine Excellence (ACE) from the American Kennel Club, and they have also been recognized with the title of Crisis Canine Dog of the Year.