They’re the real paw patrol.
A new photo book, “Paws of Firefighters: The Dogs & Other Animals New York Firehouses” (Schiffer Publishing, out Jan. 28), focuses on the adorable, loyal four-legged creatures that give companionship and support to firefighters in the city and beyond.
“No matter the mischievous behavior the firehouse animals may get into, it is clear that there is a dedicated bond between them and the members,” photographer Emmy Park, 44, writes in the book’s introduction. “Both are beings of selfless service, dedicated to helping others in their time of need.”
Park’s inspiration for the book, which highlights 33 dogs and two cats, came from near and far.
From 2014 to 2018, she travelled to Cuba several times to photograph animals for two previous books “The Dogs of Cuba” and “The Cats of Cuba.”
Some of the pups she ended up shooting were strays that had been adopted by Havana fire stations, and she was touched by their stories.
“I just really liked the connection and the bond that the firefighters and the dogs had,”
Back home in New York, she’d often walk dogs she was fostering around the city and became friendly with some of the local ladder Fidos and their owners. In 2018, she started taking shooting for the new book.
“I really liked seeing the animals interact with his or her firefighters,” Park told The Post. “A lot of the images in the book are natural — moments I captured while watching the firefighters interact with the dogs.”
While the creatures are firehouse pets, not working animals, some do go out on calls with the firefighters and all are better trained than your average apartment labradoodle or French bulldog.
“It’s really amazing that these dogs know where they’re supposed to go when the tones go off,” said Park. “They have their designated spaces.”
The endeavor has been such a labor of love that she’s still shooting various company’s furry companions. A “Paws of Firefighters” calendar is in the works.
“A lot of people have requested I make one,” she said. ” I love the project, the animals and the firefighters I meet through the project.”
