Page 20 - LIN M-J-J-2023 web-low

look
Golden PAWS smiles

at the
Assistance Dogs

Partners with Collier County EMS

to Establish Therapy Dog Program for First Responders

Photo 1: Golden PAWS Assistance Dog’s Leo visits CCEMS’ helicopter crew and pilot
Photo 2: Leo visits CCEMS paramedics
Photo 3: Leo providing smiles and love to Paramedics Esvin and Austin
Photo 4: Zelda visits with Mitch at the EMS Station in Golden Gate City

by E. Sue Huff
olden PAWS Assistance Dogs has Currently, CCEMS has two therapy dogs, Zelda and Leo. Along
partnered with Collier County EMS to with their handlers, they make station visits providing comfort and
Gestablish the first local program to assist emotional decompression for the first responders.
first responders. "The Golden PAWS Program is unique and each of our dogs
As the Collier County EMS has made a has a story,” added Bates. “Although Leo and Zelda's service
commitment to address self-care, mental health, journeys began serving veteran recipients, they now get a second
emotional support, and the overall well-being job, and a job they are equally successful at. We pride ourselves on
of Collier County EMS Paramedics, EMTs and 'Serving Those Who Need Us Most' and that is truly what both
personnel, Jeannie C. Bates, Founder and CEO Leo and Zelda are doing, in the community and with every person
of Golden PAWS Assistance Dogs said, Golden PAWS is honored and life they touch."
to provide their highly trained therapy dogs for the program. The CCEMS reports that Paramedics and EMTs will ask
CCEMS first introduced the idea of therapy dogs to their first for “Zelda Time” or “Leo Time” particularly after a difficult 911
responders in late 2022 during a medical in-service training. Golden call or shift. It’s obvious to everyone that the dogs love to work
PAWS attended the sessions and provided volunteers and dogs to and are happiest when they are providing service. According to
visit with the first responders; during this meeting, it was clear that the CCEMS, they have had a positive impact on the mental and
there was a need for a partnership to begin. physical health of CCEMS employees and have allowed personnel
The primary objective for the dogs is to provide comfort and to decompress and open conversations regarding PTS and PTSD.
companionship to Collier County EMS’ first responders after “We are very grateful to Golden PAWS for partnering with our
critical incidents or in a time of stress relief. Stats show that first agency to provide mental wellbeing care for our employees using
responders who are exposed to potentially traumatic incidents in therapy dogs. We have already seen what an impact these animals
their work environment are four to five times more likely to develop have made on our first responders,” added Chief Butcher, Collier
PTS compared to the general population. PTS (Post traumatic County Emergency Medical Services.
stress) is associated with reduced occupational, social, and family Golden PAWS Assistance Dogs is a 501(c)(3) non-profit
functioning and if left unrecognized, PTS can develop into PTSD organization that promotes independence for combat wounded veterans
(Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). and children with life-changing disabilities through partnerships with
The CCEMS therapy dogs and their handlers are a part of skilled assistance dogs.
CCEMS Peer support team, Critical Incident Stress Management To learn how you can support Golden PAWS Assistance Dogs’
team, and Critical Incident Response Team, and may be deployed to mission or for more information about the organization visit
any disaster response as deemed necessary by the Chief of CCEMS. www.GoldenPaws.org call 239-775-1660

20 Life in Naples | May/June/July 2023