Emergency operators have a job that can be very traumatic at times, and BC operators now have a new way to cope.

From gunfire and violence to serious crashes, 9-1-1 operators can hear some very disturbing things.

Thanks to the hiring of a registered clinical councillor and a certified assistance dog, they now have another way to deal with the stress that comes with the job.

E-COMM’s Jasmine Bradely says bringing them on board is worth the expense in more ways than one

“We fully expect our investment in Lynn and Colton will pay huge dividends not just only in the health of our staff but also in helping to reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues and the actual reality that PTSD in this line of work.”

Bradley went on to say “even though operators aren’t the responding to the call, they are exposed to serious life threatening situations that over time can take their toll both mentally and emotionally.”

She says not only is temperament and resilience part of the criteria they look for in an assistance dog but also when the assistance vest comes off that they’re able to just roll around on the grass and act like a regular dog and let go of the stresses that they are dealing with.