'He's become part of the family here': Cosmo the black lab serves as Durham Fire Department's emotional support animal

A Durham fire station is taking a unique approach to helping firefighters.

When firefighters return from a call and come back to Fire Station 13 at 2901 South Miami Blvd., a 2-year-old black lab named Cosmo helps them with the trauma they’ve just seen.

“He’s become part of the family here, for sure,” said Durham Fire Department fire driver Morgan Nelson.

Cosmo serves as the department’s emotional support animal. He came from Iowa-based nonprofit Paws and Effect. The organization typically raises, trains and places service dogs with children and veterans with disabilities.

“He kind of just helps me relax and kind of calm down and kind of think of other things besides what just went on about a call,” Nelson said.

Cosmo has lived full time for a year and a half at the fire house. He’s part of a pilot program for the department. Now, the firefighters can't imagine life without him.

“It’s a really good feeling to wake up in the morning, come to work, hear the little pitter patter of feet coming down the hallway,” said Durham Fire Department Capt. Jason Mask. “You just know your day is already going to be better.”

At the firehouse, Cosmo has his own chair, snacks and plenty of attention. He knows to go to his crate when the alarm sounds as firefighters head out. His schedule is six days on and three days off.

“On his days off, he loves to go hiking on the Eno, do some different things,” Mask said.

Cosmo is trained to smell stress. He will stay by the side of firefighters who he can tell need him.

“We’ve had several calls dealing with children,” Nelson said. “Me, having children of my own, it kind of bothers me at some point.

“And he’ll end up coming over and kind of laying his head right on my lap and just look at me, and help me relax and forget about what went on.”

Mask said Cosmo has a friendly rivalry with Ripken the bat dog seen at Durham Bulls games and NC State football games. Cosmo and Ripken will stare each other down at Bulls’ games.

“He is pretty lowkey for the most part,” Mask said of Cosmo.

Cosmo’s impact has been so notable, another Durham firehouse will be getting another black lab named Tower, who is expected to arrive in January.