Addie McCluskey
Elmore Autauga News
The Prattville Firefighters Association (PFFA) donated $1,000 to Secret Keepers Service Dogs, Feb. 26, 2026, in support of the organization’s mission to train service dogs for first responders and military personnel carrying the weight of trauma.
“We see the need for service dogs more and more every day, especially in our line of work,” said PFFA Vice President Brooks Riddle. “When the idea of the donation came to us, it was all hands on, unanimous. We know the more we talk about it and the more we do to help, the more people we can help.”
Secret Keepers was founded in 2024 by Madison Driscoll after witnessing firsthand the healing power of a service dog. Her husband, Steve Driscoll, a former firefighter and paramedic for Palm Beach County Fire Rescue and K9 specialist for FEMA’s Urban Search and Rescue Team, found healing through the companionship of his dog, Blaze.
Steve, who now owns and operates Pack Leader, LLC, where he trains foundational obedience, also serves as the trainer for Secret Keepers, while Madison leads the organization as executive director.
“Our main goal is to help first responders with PTSD [post-traumatic stress disorder] and anxiety but are for the most part still able-bodied,” said Madison. “We alternate litters of golden retrievers and labs. They are active and want to go on walks and hikes, and they are also good to help people feel safe and secure in public, so they can go out and have fun too.”
Nearly 30% of first responders develop mental health conditions such as depression and PTSD. Among firefighters alone, studies show PTSD prevalence rates ranging from 6.5% to 37%, and tragically, suicide rates are estimated to be 1.5 times higher than the general population. Steve knows this reality all too well, having lost friends and brothers from his former fire department to suicide.
“Those are the ‘secrets’ many first responders and military personnel keep behind their courage and dedication,” said Madison. “Service dogs create a safe space for them, allowing them to be able to cope with some of those traumas that they’ve had in the past.”
Secret Keepers trains dogs to perform specific tasks that directly address PTSD symptoms, including interrupting flashbacks, applying calming pressure during anxiety episodes, and creating a sense of safety in public spaces. Training begins when the puppies are eight weeks old and continues until they are about 18 months old.
“The puppies start with basic obedience training and then more advanced specialty training,” said Madison. “We also go out and do a lot of public socialization with them, so they can be with their person wherever they go, including places with lots of people and lots of noise.”
The final portion of training comes when the dogs are carefully paired with their owner. Secret Keepers ensures the partnership is rooted in trust, also training the individual to confidently work alongside their new companion.
“The final day when they become a service dog and companion, and then seeing the difference they make is what makes it all worth it,” said Madison. “You can just see the change it brings to both the person and the dog.”
For more information about Secret Keepers, visit https://www.secretkeepers.org/.
