An organization that advocates for better mental health services for first responders has launched a new calendar of firefighters posing with their puppies.
“We really feel that dogs should be part of the topic, because they help,” said Claudia Currie, founder of Fight4Life, of her latest fundraising effort.
In 2018, Currie lost her son Kyle to complications with post-traumatic stress disorder. He was 34 years old.
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While grieving the loss of her son, Currie says a therapy dog was by her side the entire way.
“I can’t tell you how wonderful it was to have that dog by my side,” he said.
“Kyle had a dog. He was a golden retriever and it was one of the things during the year that he was so ill that it kept him grounded. “
So that’s why Fight4Life decided to highlight the important role puppies play in the mental health of first responders in next year’s 2022 Halifax Professional Firefighters calendar.
“Dogs only focus on the here and now, and the positive aspects of life,” said Halifax firefighter Emma Roberts. “They are a light in every day.”
This year’s calendar honors Newt, who served as a therapy dog for nine and a half years. He provided comfort to countless firefighters and their families when they needed it most.
This year’s calendar is in honor of Newt, who served as a therapy dog for nine and a half years.
Courtesy: Fight4Life
One hundred percent of calendar sales go directly to Fight4Life, which supports mental health initiatives for firefighters and first responders.
Lorne Piercey (left) and Chris Cromwell (right) pose with Zoey, Cali and Covi.
Courtesy: Fight4Life
Nicki Selk poses with Beckham, Bear and Nova.
Courtesy: Fight4Life
Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency says the work of Claudia and the rest of the Fight4Life team is having a direct impact on the firefighters here at home.
“If a program comes up, a lot of times it was going through our firefighting assistance program. It takes time to get things done, ”said Michael Sears, Fight4Life president and longtime friend of Kyle Currie.
“This gives us a little more immediate recourse without that delay. We can try different out-of-the-box therapies, activities, whatever we can to relieve some of the stress. “
As for Claudia Currie, she is happy to affect the lives of firefighters, all in her son’s honor.
“It is a fight. We fight. That’s why we call it Fight4Life. Firefighters fight. They fight fires, we fight PTSD. “
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