About the course
The Muffin Cares program uses animal assisted interventions (AAI) to facilitate learning and targeted outreach messaging. Muffin the mini horse and handler Lindsay McDade are a registered therapy team with Pet Partners. Muffin and McDade educate community members on drug awareness messaging and supports mental wellness education. The therapy team disseminates “Muffin has a Message” cards detailing relevant drug awareness messaging and mental health tips along with Muffin stickers. McDade, an eleven-year veteran of the fire service, is the Battalion Chief of Community Risk Reduction focused on opioid abatement at the Cayce Fire Department, in South Carolina. As a chief officer, she has seen first-hand how difficult it can be for the fire service to tackle drug prevention awareness. With Muffin, McDade is breaking barriers to provide this South Carolina community with lifesaving education, cross-agency connections, and is bringing hope to many through the Muffin Cares program.
Practical approach
We understand the critical role the fire service professionals play in protecting their community. Our training is designed to provide skills in a practical approach.
Impact your community
Training and strategies shared on our focus to education, equip and engage the nationals fire service. Together, let’s protect our communities with confidence. The knowledge earned allows our students to immediately make an impact in their community.
For your career
Stay ahead of the curve and elevate your professional development with CRR Academy. Join our instructors today, leaders in the field with years of experience as subject matter experts, and unlock a deeper understanding of the CRR process.
Write your awesome label here.
Course Lessons
Lindsay McDade
Lindsay McDade is a twelve- year veteran of the fire service. She is currently the Battalion Chief of Community Risk Reduction and Equine Program Director with Cayce Fire Department. McDade manages Mini Horse Outreach with Muffin and Mila the Therapy Horses and Therapeutic Equine Activities (TEA) program. The horse programs help educate on drug awareness and mental wellness messaging, supporting those in recovery, first responders, front line workers, and others with horse and human partnership. McDade has her Bachelor of Science in Fire, Arson, and Explosion Investigation from Eastern Kentucky University. She manages Hoof Beat Ranch which is the farm and caretaker of all horses in the equine programs. She is dedicated in using her passion for horses to help her community combat the opioid crisis and support first responder wellness.
Muffin is a 6 year old American Mini Horse who has been doing therapy work for over two years now. From high security prisons to working with preschool students at the library, Muffin has been all over the community educating on life saving messaging and bringing smiles to those she encounters.
Mila is a four-year-old mini pony who came from a neglect situation. Mila is now healthy and passed her horse therapy test later in 2025. She is still learning her job as a therapy horse. She loves meeting new people and has a powerful story of overcoming adverse circumstances.
Subscribe now
Take Your Career to the Next Level!
Thank you!