In a town full of movie star mutts and pampered pooches, Wilshire the Dalmatian is a down-to-earth work dog who just happens to have appeared on TV and in calendars. Thanks to the care and support of LAFD Firefighter Ryan Penrod, Wilshire has gone from rowdy puppy to the face of fire safety for many children in Southern California. The pair also has supported the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund by appearing at numerous events over the years.
As a puppy, Wilshire was adopted by Station 29, located on the street that gave him his name. Early on, Ryan Penrod took on the responsibility of taking care of the station’s new resident, not the easiest task considering Wilshire came to them with little training. That was rectified with the assistance of famed trainer Cesar Millan, best known for his show The Dog Whisperer. With Cesar’s guidance, Wilshire adjusted to the hectic life at a fire station. Thanks to Hollywood animal trainer Clint Rowe, Wilshire learned how to demonstrate important fire safety tips to kids.
Ryan has been instrumental in Wilshire’s mission to teach kids what to do in fires, including dialing 911 and how to stop, drop and roll. “The demonstrations the dog would do really caught the attention of the children, and with Ryan’s safety message, they certainly learned and had fun doing it,” said Frank Borden, the Director of Operations for the LAFD Historical Society. “We are working on incorporating Ryan and Wilshire into our Historical Society fire and life safety program at our Fire Museum in Hollywood.”
Ryan and Wilshire have been frequent volunteers at the annual Hope for Firefighters fundraiser in Downtown LA. “We’ve been fortunate to have Ryan and Wilshire support our event for many years,” said Hope co-chair Heather Ross. “The purpose of Hope for Firefighters is to support Los Angeles Firefighters and the valuable work they do, and Wilshire’s mission of fire life safety training is another way for the public to see and appreciate emergency preparedness in action.
The time that Ryan puts in with Wilshire is all volunteered. “Ryan has donated countless hours of his free time over the years in order to help others and is always going above and beyond to respond to all requests. He is an extraordinary person, always giving without expecting anything in return,” said Marlene Casillas, Development & Marketing Director for Widows & Orphans.
While not every firefighter has the opportunity to work with a star as big as Wilshire, Ryan and other LAFD who participate at fundraising events for the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund serve an important role as ambassadors to the larger community. Having a face and a specific person to connect to is important for both new and long-term supporters of Widows & Orphans. We’re thankful to all of the firefighters who have been a part of our events over the years.
By Jody Houser