800 people are part of the 43rd annual Arrowhead EMS Association’s Conference at the DECC.

On Friday, WDIO checked out a few things in the expo area.

We met Bodhi, one of three therapy dogs for Allina Health. He focuses on the call center for Allina.

“He’s gone right up to people who he can sense had a difficult call. And they immediately tear up and cry. He’s been such a great asset to the team,” shared his handler, Hayley Matula. “I think every call center should have a therapy dog.”

Mayo Clinic Ambulance also showed us their brand new model of ambulance, which will help the sickest and most critical patients. It’s manufactured by Braun, and North Central Ambulance is the dealership.

Paul McIntyre, a Specialist for Mayo, said, “We’re always thinking about what’s next. How can we make things better for our patient, and more secure and safer for our crew members.”

Duluth will be getting one of these new rigs.

And we met a flight paramedic who works for Guardian Flight, which operates two aircraft out of Grand Rapids.

“We are with people sometimes on the worst days of their life, and I can help them. That’s what’s been so rewarding,” Chelsea Groom told us. She is based out of South Dakota, and it’s been her dream to be a flight paramedic.

The conference continues through Sunday.