COFEMS is Going to the Dogs (in a Good Way!)
By: Susan Turner, Senior Administrative Assistant, County of Orange Fire & EMS
From now through April, COFEMS is pleased to welcome a graduate student from Huntington University, who will work with our department to support first responder health and well-being.
Katelynn Southworth is a graduate student in Occupational Therapy at Huntington University and a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science with a minor in Psychology. During her time with County of Orange Fire & EMS (COFEMS), she is developing a program called “Animal-Assisted Intervention to the Rescue,” designed to provide educational resources and therapeutic opportunities for first responders. The program uses Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI) to offer emotional support and help individuals recognize and manage warning signs and symptoms of mental health conditions such as post- traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. Katelynn will provide evidence-based resources, optional therapeutic sessions, and education focused on the importance of mental health awareness. Therapeutic sessions will include a therapy dog-in-training named Lunar. Participation in all activities is voluntary, complimentary, and confidential, with the goal of creating a safe and comfortable environment for everyone—no pressure, just support.
In addition to working with COFEMS staff, Katelynn will collaborate with our volunteer partners and the E911 Center and will travel to meet personnel over the coming weeks.
This partnership reflects COFEMS’ continued commitment to supporting the health and well-being of the first responders who serve our community.
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