First Responders shoulder significant stress and trauma as part of their job. This results in a 50% higher rate of suicide than the general population, and higher rates of divorce, substance abuse and depression.
SDI provides First Responder Facility Dogs to fire departments, hospitals, law enforcement agencies and other institutions to build resiliency and contribute to wellness. We trained Chanel, Lady, and Fresca to support EMS, hospital staff and dispatchers for Methodist Healthcare System in San Antonio, Texas. They employ 10,000 staff, 10% of whom are veterans.
Besides working in the community, our teams have responded after catastrophic events throughout Texas, including the mass shootings in El Paso, Uvalde, Allen and also in Nashville, Tennessee.
Equally important is their daily work in the moments that don't receive as much public attention, helping First Responders feel safe enough to be emotionally vulnerable and seek the help they need: