LAFD Firefighters risk their lives every day in attempt to save yours. Responding to thousands of calls a day, facing danger, unbelievable stress and anxiety, they see the worst of the worst. Death, agony, grief and sorrow. But who comes to their rescue? Who can help firefighters face the reality that at times their job can be too hard to take? Meet Willow, one of the LAFD’s … [Read more...] about LAFD and Willow the Peer Support Dog, Combat PTSD and Extreme Levels of Stress
PTSD
Firefighting and Emotional Health: Breaking Barriers
Dr. Steve Froehlich has one professional goal: to improve the well-being of firefighters and their families. Froehlich is the director of the behavior health program at United Firefighters of Los Angeles City/LAFD Center for Health & Wellness, which opened in September 2020. Housed at the site of the former LAFD Fire Station 7 in Arleta, the center has two licensed … [Read more...] about Firefighting and Emotional Health: Breaking Barriers
The Avery Centre: PTSD Support, Empathy & Guidance
Donor and volunteer Lyndee Venosta understands the emotional burden carried by firefighters as much as any daughter, wife or therapist possibly can, because she is all three. A Family of First Responders Growing up in a small town in northern California, Lyndee vividly remembers an ambulance parked in her driveway. It wasn’t always there because of an emergency. Both of her … [Read more...] about The Avery Centre: PTSD Support, Empathy & Guidance