In September 2026, NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst welcomed a new member to its behavioural health department. Weasley, a two-year-old Labrador and Golden Retriever cross, joined the hospital through a partnership with Canine Companions. His assignment is to work alongside mental health professionals supporting patients in adult, adolescent, and forensic inpatient psychiatric services. The hospital has...

Police work rarely follows a predictable schedule. Officers and civilian staff move between competing responsibilities, difficult conversations, administrative demands, and situations that require sustained attention. Finding time to step away can be challenging, even when a break would be beneficial. Researchers at the University of British Columbia wanted to know whether a brief visit with...

An organization can offer mental health resources and still have employees who struggle to access them. Sometimes the difficulty is practical. Shift schedules, unpredictable calls, and competing responsibilities make it difficult to attend appointments or participate in programs. Other barriers involve concerns about privacy, professional reputation, or uncertainty about what accessing support might mean. Researchers...

Protective Factors for Veterans and First Responders | Fire Team K9 Physical activity plays an important role in maintaining physical and psychological health. For veterans and first responders, regular movement can provide opportunities to manage stress, maintain fitness, and participate in activities outside occupational responsibilities. Research also suggests that exercise may benefit people already experiencing...

Starting a workplace wellness program is one challenge. Keeping it useful and accessible over time is another. New initiatives often generate enthusiasm, particularly when they introduce something employees have not experienced before. But continued participation requires an organization to consider how the program fits into everyday operations. The University of British Columbia’s B.A.R.K. partnership with...

If you’ve encountered a dog visiting a hospital, school, or community event, you’ve probably heard it described as a therapy dog. These dogs and their handlers provide valuable opportunities for comfort, connection, and positive interaction. Facility Dogs are sometimes mistaken for therapy dogs because they may work in many of the same environments. You might...

When we think about stress in policing, critical incidents are often the first thing that comes to mind. But the demands of police work extend well beyond emergency responses. Administrative responsibilities, organizational pressures, workplace relationships, and the ongoing demands of the job can all contribute to stress. Researchers at the University of British Columbia explored...

Protective Factors for Veterans and First Responders Mental Health| Fire Team K9 For many veterans and first responders, professional communities provide a strong sense of belonging. Shared responsibilities, experiences, and values can create relationships that remain meaningful long after a shift or deployment ends. However, belonging within an occupational community may not always translate into...

For some first responders, approaching a mental health professional can feel like a significant step. There may be uncertainty about what the conversation will involve, concerns about confidentiality, or questions about whether the professional understands the demands of their occupation. One potential application of facility dog programming is to create opportunities for employees to become...