Margaret Griffo and Miranda Miller are two Alaskans who serve with their canine
partners through NATIONAL Crisis Response Canines, a nonprofit that deploys
highly-trained teams into high-stress environments. These canines don’t just visit they respond. They seek out those who need them most, offering stability, connection, and moments of relief in the middle of crisis, disaster, and trauma.
Both teams recently traveled to Washington DC, where they supported airline staff and travelers at Reagan National Airport (DCA) following a tragic incident with American Airlines.

Margaret is a retired speech-language pathologist, a first responder chaplain with the Alaska Police and Fire Chaplains, and the team coordinator for Alaska’s CISM (Critical Incident Stress Management) team. Her Keeshond, Smartie Pants, is the Chaplain K9 for the Municipality of Anchorage, and together, they’ve been there for all kinds of responses within Alaska and beyond. From helping first responders after tough calls, to offering support in hospital hallways or deploying to the LA fires in California... Margaret and Smartie Pants show up where they’re needed most. As a chaplain, Margaret even has the privilege of crossing the yellow tape to support those in the front lines.

Miranda is an Indigenous Alaskan from rural Alaska. She works alongside her Brittany, Arya Bear, who started training at just 10 weeks old and has been a well-known presence in the Anchorage community ever since. During the pandemic, when certifications were paused, Arya supported the community wherever dogs were allowed — offering comfort and love when it was needed. In 2022, Arya officially became a certified therapy dog, and soon after, they joined NATIONAL Crisis Response Canines.

Miranda is CISM-trained and focused on getting crisis response canine teams into rural and Indigenous communities that may not have easy access to these resources. Arya’s real-life stories will soon be shared in a children’s book series.

Find out more here:
https://www.crisisresponsecanines.org/

https://wjla.com/amp/news/local/washington-dc-plane-crash-midair-collision-dca-
reagan-national-airport-american-airlines-staff-passengers-black-hawk-helicopter-crisis-response-dogs-support-photos-victims

https://linktr.ee/Cupidthecrisisresponsek9

https://linktr.ee/aryabearthebrittany

https://www.aryabearbooks.com/

Lorna-lei Sua’ava is a Sāmoan woman born in Long Beach, California, and raised in Palmer, Alaska. With a deep passion for education and community, she has always sought opportunities for growth, both personally and professionally.

She recently earned a Master’s in Neuropsychology from the University of Arizona (September 2024).

In addition to her academic and professional endeavors, Lorna-lei dedicates her time to volunteer efforts that uplift her Pasifika community.

Follow Lorna-lei here: https://www.instagram.com/lolesmoov/

Check out your hosts:

Blaze Bell:

https://www.blazebell.com/

https://www.instagram.com/blazebellbliss/

Justin Williams:

https://www.tiktok.com/@justineatsalaska

www.instagram.com/justineatsalaska

Sabrina Speers started her stand up comedy career in 2017. Voted #1 Stand Up Comic in 2021, by the Anchorage Press, she primarily performs in Anchorage and the Mat Su Valley, but has done shows all over the state. Currently touring with The Baddies with Bars, and performs with the Alaska B4uDie Comedy Festival. You can also catch her hosting concerts as a way to get free tickets!

https://www.facebook.com/sabrina.m.speers

https://www.instagram.com/thesabrinaspeers/

Check out your hosts:

Blaze Bell:

https://www.blazebell.com/

https://www.instagram.com/blazebellbliss/

Justin Williams:

https://www.tiktok.com/@justineatsalaska

www.instagram.com/justineatsalaska