Marvin OnumonuLondon Fire Brigade (LFB) has welcomed six newly qualified wellbeing dogs and their handlers, bringing the total number in the team to 10.
Staff members volunteer with their own dogs and can organise visits to any of the 102 fire stations in London.
The dogs are part of the staff wellbeing support on offer, especially following traumatic incidents.
The wellbeing team made around 30 visits to fire stations, open days and different departments in the past year.
The brigade plans to recruit more dogs and handlers to meet ongoing demand.
Natalie Elliott, head of health and wellbeing at LFB, said: “Our fire crews are called to all manner of incidents, not just burning buildings.
“Some of these incidents may have a significant impact on a person’s mental health, and can range from fatalities to train or car accidents, and incidents involving very young children.
“It’s impossible to know who and how someone is going to be affected from the outset, but we do know that some incidents will stay with our staff long after they’ve left the scene.”
Elliott added: “The wellbeing dogs help provide support and are key to bridging the gap between early interventions such as peer-based post incident support and more structured support, such as trauma therapy, which the Brigade provides.”
