To help paramedics and first responders cope with the stress frequently working in crises, Manatee County Public Safety officials recently brought on a new, furry member of the team.
Rucker, a 2-year-old golden retriever trained by Valor Service Dogs, is Public Safety's new Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) facility dog. The dog recognizes anxiety and PTSD cues and can help calm them by nestling his head in the lap of someone who needs him. Rucker also uses his head to distract and soothe someone experiencing twitching, crying or fidgeting. He helps treat 9-1-1 operators, EMTs and paramedics and lifeguards who have worked through traumatic calls and rescues.
Rucker is the newest component of the Public Safety Peer Support Program, where Public Safety employees have received additional training to speak to their peers directly regarding on the job stressors and stressors at home.
"The Peer Support Program is valuable in that our first responders can speak with one another about on-the-job stress and difficult situations," acting Public Safety Director Jake Saur said. "Rucker can help ease some of the tension before those conversations even begin. Having him around helps people open up."
"When you're around dogs, it’s hard not to smile," says EMS Chief Jimmy Crutchfield. "Public Safety employees hear and see things that are difficult to forget. First responders have a high rate of suicide and PTSD. Rucker was on-boarded to make bad days a little better and to help employees open up and speak to their peers."
