INDIANAPOLIS — NBC’s the “Today” show and “Chicago Fire” are honoring the “Top Firehouse Dog” nationwide, and out of hundreds of entries, chose Dempsey from the Pike Township Fire Department, as one of three canine finalists.
On Sept. 24, Dempsey made his television debut on the “Today” show with his adopted owner, Eileen Orban, and “Chicago Fire” stars Jesse Spencer and Taylor Kinney.
At just 8 weeks old, Dempsey was intentionally set on fire by a teenager, and abandoned. After he was rescued and survived the deadly Parvovirus, he was adopted and started working as the “Burn Prevention Pup” for Pike Township Fire Department’s public education program.
With severe burn wounds covering his stomach, tail and most importantly his feet, he suffered daily challenges as he grew older and reached 100 pounds.
Dr. Nicolas Vecchio, IndyVet Emergency & Specialty Hospital chief surgeon, examined Dempsey’s original condition and described it as “by far the worst case I’ve ever seen,” citing that his toenails actually melted into the bone and injuries left him in constant pain.
IndyVet launched a fundraising campaign last summer and raised over $11,400 to fund reconstructive surgeries to improve Dempsey’s quality of life. IndyVet matched every dollar raised, while remaining funds support Pike Fire’s public education program.
The two-and-a-half-year-old boxer/mastiff mix spreads awareness on the dangers of fire, as well as animal cruelty, to area elementary schools and health fairs. He participates in Juvenile Firesetter interviews and uses his battle scars to reflect the damage fire can cause when played with or used irresponsibly.
Eileen and Dempsey also make routine visits to Hoosier Burn Camp and People’s Burn Foundation Brave Hearts Camp to visit children living with burn injuries.
Dempsey didn’t win the contest, but came in second after Smokey, a Lab mix rescued from a fire in Jacksonville, Illinois. She is now employed by the Jacksonville Fire Dept. to teach kids how to “stop, drop, and roll.”
