In this episode of the Burnout Podcast, host Skip O interviews Pete Lewin, a retired paramedic who has dedicated his life to helping others through the unique bond between humans and dogs. Pete shares his journey from being a paramedic to using his Newfoundland dogs for emotional support and rescue work, particularly focusing on mental health for first responders and children with disabilities. He recounts personal experiences that shaped his advocacy for water safety and the therapeutic benefits of swimming with dogs. The conversation highlights the importance of community support, recognition of mental health struggles, and the transformative power of canine companionship.

Takeaways

• Pete Lewin is a retired paramedic with a passion for helping others.
• He uses Newfoundland dogs for emotional support and rescue work.
• Personal experiences, including a near-drowning, shaped his advocacy for water safety.
• Swimming with dogs has therapeutic benefits for mental health.
• Pete's work has gained recognition, including winning the hero dog of the year at Crufts.
• Community support is vital for mental health initiatives.
• The bond between humans and dogs can be life-changing.
• Pete encourages open conversations about mental health struggles.
• He emphasizes the importance of not keeping feelings to oneself.
• The team behind Pete's work is crucial for its success.

PLEASE SUPPORT THIS PODCAST BY TAKING A LOOK AT OUR SPONSORS

• Throttle & Thrive First Responder Addiction Recovery: https://throttleandthrive.com/
• AdvoCast: https://advocast.media

PODCAST WEBSITE:

• https://burntoutpodcast.org

BURNT OUT CREW:

• Host: Skip O
• Mental Health Minute: Melissa H
• Sunday Support Zoom Meeting Facilitator: Jeff D
• Bonus Episode Host: Capt. Chuck Bray
• Executive Producer: Shawn P Neal
• Brought to you by AdvoCast

EPISODE HASHTAGS:
#firefighter #firstresponder #ems #emt #police #lawenforcement #military #trauma #mentalhealth #USMC #military