Meet Bubba, the Newest (and Furriest) Member of the Survivor Resource Center Team 

At just three years old, Bubba is an outgoing Labrador with a huge heart and an even bigger personality. He proudly serves as our resident Facility Dog, offering specialized support and comfort to those who walk through our doors. 

With four paws and amber-colored eyes, Bubba brings a unique kind of calm to the space. He's trained to support people during difficult moments, using cues like gentle nudges or applying pressure to specific points on the body to help lower stress, ease anxiety, and create a sense of safety. 

Talbot Snow of Safe Alliance witnessed the early days of Bubba's six-month training. She saw firsthand how skilled and attuned he already was. 

"His funniest, I think, is called a hug, where he jumps into your lap and puts his legs over your thighs," she laughs. "The tops of your thighs are a pressure point." 

A Bond Like No Other 

Bubba wasn't randomly assigned to this role. He was carefully matched with Dr. Sherrie Bourg Carter, a psychologist with over 30 years of experience working with survivors of trauma, abuse, and violence. 

As part of the matching process through PAALS (Palmetto Animal Assisted Life Services), Sherrie participated in "dog speed dating" which is short, structured meet-and-greets designed to assess the chemistry between professionals and dogs in training. 

"The bonding process was so easy for us," Sherrie shares. "When you meet him, you'll see -- he looks right into your soul. That was the first thing I noticed during our meetings. His gaze is so focused. He's constantly checking in with me, like, 'What do you need next?'" 

Once matched, Sherrie underwent a rigorous three-week training program with PAALS.  

The first week focused on educating Sherrie before introducing Bubba into the training process. The primary goal during this time was to build a strong understanding of operant conditioning, a learning method that uses rewards and consequences to guide behavior. Sherrie also developed essential handler skills to ensure she can communicate effectively with Bubba. 

During weeks two and three, he then joined her for hands-on training: first at PAALS' facility, and then in the different places where he'll be working. 

Throughout training, Bubba was only allowed to bond with Sherrie to help him clearly understand: this is my person. 

This foundational trust is what enables them to work as an intuitive team in high-emotion environments. 

Even Facility Dogs Need Rest 

Like many support animals, Bubba is highly attuned to the emotions of the people around him, and he feels them deeply. Dogs like Bubba often act like emotional sponges, absorbing the feelings of those they're helping. Over time, emotional labor can take a toll. 

That's where Sherrie's role as handler and partner comes in. 

"It's my job as a handler to recognize when Bubba needs a break," she explains. "If he starts losing focus or resisting cues... I need to give him some downtime." 

All of Bubba's workspaces have designated crates used for breaks. Depending on the emotional intensity of the day, he might interact with many people or only a few. 

"Even though dogs don't want to let you know that," Talbot says, "they want you to think they're happy because they want you to be happy." 

By caring for Bubba the way he cares for others, we ensure he's always ready to bring his full heart (and happy paws) to those who need him most. 

A Little Bit About Facility Dogs 

Bubba isn't just a lovable lab. He's a highly trained facility dog, placed with us by the incredible team at PAALS. The journey to becoming a facility dog is long and selective. PAALS dogs are trained for over two years, and not all make it through the rigorous process. Bubba, with his calm nature and love for people, was an ideal fit. 

But what makes a facility dog different from other working dogs? 

Let's break it down: 

• Service Dogs are trained to assist one person with a specific disability. They are legally allowed in public spaces and may be trained for needs like PTSD, autism, seizure alerts, or mobility assistance. 

• Therapy Dogs offer affection and comfort to groups of people in places like schools or hospitals. While cherished, they're not trained for specific task work and don't have public access rights. 

• Facility Dogs, like Bubba, are task-trained service dogs who work alongside a professional in a structured setting, such as a courthouse, advocacy center, or clinic. Their tasks are focused on emotional regulation, grounding, and providing support in trauma-sensitive environments. 

Facility dogs are taught to perform specialized cues as part of a partnership. Bubba, for example, is trained in over 50 cues and is always learning more. Many of them are designed to lower heart rate, slow breathing, or ground someone through touch. 

Bubba: Off the Clock 

When Bubba's "cape" comes off, he's no longer working. PAALS teaches dogs to associate their cape with focus and professionalism. But once it's removed and Sherrie says, "free time," Bubba becomes the playful dog he is on the inside. 

Bubba's favorite toy is his squeaky donut. His favorite pastime? Finding the largest possible object to carry around. He's always eager for a challenge and a bit of fun. 

"He's super smart," Sherrie laughs. "I bought him what's supposedly the hardest level of a mind puzzle for dogs, and he solved it in about three minutes. He needs to stay cognitively engaged and have challenges in his life. Or, like us, he'll become bored." 

If you visit the Survivor Resource Center at The Umbrella Center, there's a good chance you'll meet Bubba -- a steady companion with a gentle nudge, a soulful gaze, and a whole lot of heart.