Fire rescue crew’s trauma therapy dog helps save suicidal woman’s life
Rescuers in the United Kingdom say a trauma therapy dog quickly did what humans were struggling to do — help save a suicidal woman’s life.
[June 17, 2021: Josh Shavit]
Rescuers in the United Kingdom say a trauma therapy dog quickly did what humans were struggling to do -- help save a suicidal woman's life.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service recounted the incident on their Twitter account, saying it happened Tuesday near Exeter in England.
Rescuers were trying to speak with a young woman who they said "was thinking of taking her own life on a bridge" over a highway.
Multiple agencies and negotiators were on the scene, but officials said the situation was becoming more dire.
That's when one of the fire crews had the idea to bring along Digby, their "defusing" dog.
"Digby helps crews who have been exposed to trauma during talking therapy 'diffusing sessions," they explained.
"When Digby arrived, the young woman immediately swung her head round to look, and smiled," they said.
Rescuers said that began a conversation about Digby and his role with the fire service.
"She was asked if she would like to come and meet Digby if she came back over the railings, which we are pleased to say she did," they wrote.
Digby's story and happy ending for the woman quickly resonated with people online. The tweets soon went viral, garnering more than 63,000 likes in less than 24 hours.
Thousands of dog lovers praised Digby for a job well done, calling him a hero.
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Tags: #Global_Good_News, #Dogs, #Heroism, #The_Brighter_Side_of_News
Joseph Shavit
Science News Writer, Editor-At-Large and Publisher
Joseph Shavit, based in Los Angeles, is a seasoned science journalist, editor and co-founder of The Brighter Side of News, where he transforms complex discoveries into clear, engaging stories for general readers. With experience at major media groups like Times Mirror and Tribune, he writes with both authority and curiosity. His work spans astronomy, physics, quantum mechanics, climate change, artificial intelligence, health, and medicine. Known for linking breakthroughs to real-world markets, he highlights how research transitions into products and industries that shape daily life.