I read the Power of Connection article in the March issue of Trail Sweep and appreciated the perspective about the resilience of social connections. I’m a volunteer patroller at Bousquet Mountain as well as an Ecotherapist in private practice.
I’d like to share my perspective and experience working with clients, of which some are first responders, in my practice and the other “forms” and “conditions” of connection that supports “getting back to normal”.
Our nervous system naturally wants to heal and release the stress and burdens from stressful or traumatic incidents, but all too often our culture fails to offer very favorable conditions for this process to occur naturally or even prescriptively.
Connecting to nature is an integral way our nervous system regulates and is likely one of the big reasons why we ski. Nature provides a safe container and even the witness for us to safely access and release the physical and mental stress memories. Similarly to the way we clean and dress physical wounds in order to promote biological healing, creating a safe space for someone to psychologically heal is essential.
Another powerful element of nature that I’ve seen support stressed groups and individuals are animals. Animals naturally know how to down regulate stress through physical releases: shake, stretch, groom, move and play after stressful events in order to return to “reset” their nervous systems. I work with a therapy dog named Shadow in my practice and he also joins me when I patrol. Even though his primary role isn’t search and rescue, I’ve seen how well Shadow calms both patrollers and patients in the patrol room, in the top shack and on the slopes helping everyone remain calmer thus improving the delivery and reception of emergency care.
Similar to the camaraderie that’s shared through skiing and the mountains, a four-legged friend can become another hub for a diverse group of patrollers to bond around. A service animal’s presence, whose openness and affinity rarely discriminates, can reduce isolation and model how to accept the good with the bad. Patrol dogs are also an effective ambassador between the patrol, resort staff and the public. They help us connect with the skiers and riders who tend to challenge our safety mindedness.
So consider integrating the power of connection with nature and animals in your patrol settings. Work with your local humane societies, professional animal trainers or Ecotherapists to discover how some of these alternative approaches could reduce your workplace stress.
Editor’s Note: Eric is a MA & NY Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Nationally Certified Forest Therapy Guide specializing in individual, couples and family therapy, and maintains a private practice in Berkshire and Columbia Counties. Eric is also the owner and president of Wild Wellness Inc. who’s mission is to explore natural alternatives to medicine by reconnecting play, people and places. If you would like to find out more about Eric Krawczyk and his program click here: Berkshire Health Ranger.
