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One woman at risk was furry enough to receive a paw visit from Digby, a therapy dog, on Tuesday.
Digby helped save a woman from suicide when she considered jumping off a bridge over the M5 motorway near Exeter, England, according to crime scene first responders. The 3 year old Labradoodle usually helps firefighters manage trauma during therapy sessions. Digby came to the rescue to help a woman after a report of her welfare was reported Tuesday.
According to the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service (DSFRS), the crews were called to the crime scene at 11 a.m. BST as part of an inter-agency response.
“The police negotiators spoke to the woman, but the situation became more and more worrying,” tweeted the DSFRS.
This is Digby. Today he did something amazing and helped save a young woman who tried to kill herself on a bridge over the M5 near Exeter (thread👇) pic.twitter.com/eMnIG0Dve7
– Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service (@DSFireUpdates) June 15, 2021
Digby, who started working as a “defusing” dog in the fire department in 2018, was called to the crime scene. When he arrived, the woman “immediately turned her head to look and smiled,” the thread continued.
She then spoke to DSFRS first responders about Digby and his role – which led her to ask if she could meet Digby when she got back over the railing.
The DSFRS stated that she was then moved to a safe position at 3:00 p.m. CEST and then placed in the care of psychologists. According to the police, the road was released again after they returned to safety.
“We wish the affected woman all the best for her recovery,” said the thread.
This is certainly not the first time therapy dogs have come to the rescue to help people deal with trauma. Last December, a pooch in Spain cheered children with special needs during COVID-19. A golden retriever named Kerith also boosted the morale of California forest fire first responders in September 2020. Therapy dogs even helped stressed out Congressional staff with impeachment hearings in November 2019.
If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, you can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255.
