Across All Lines is dedicated to bridging the gap in relation to mental wellness resources and access for first responders & veterans with PTSD.
Our main focus is on creating access to service and emotional support dogs through our coaching program and our partners. Service dogs are often a wonderful addition to a treatment plan for PTSD but are often unattainable due to cost and 2-3 years of wait list time. Through our coaching program first responders and veterans get to train their dogs, hands on, through the whole process of becoming a service dog. In this program we coach our service dog teams through owner training their service dog as defined by the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). In 2025 we will be opening this program up though a virtual program to reach more first responders and veterans across the United States.
Secondly we focus on advocacy. We advocate for better mental wellness training, benefits, and treatments for first responders and veterans in all 50 states. Raising awareness of PTSD in our first responders and veterans. We share stories from first responders/veterans and their families to show the impact their service has made on their mental health and of those who love them. We also aim to educate during events, fundraisers, community festivals and while out with our service dogs.
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Firefighters With PTSD was founded by Matt Doughty in 2016 when he wanted to help first responders, like himself, fill the gap in relation to access and resources for these brave men and women suffering from PTSD.
It started with his book, A Revelation, where he writes about his own life experiences. When writing this book he was trying to decide how he could move that drive and passion to the next level. As a “firefighter with PTSD” it occurred to Matt that this was the cause, the cause that had a large need and was not flooded with other organizations help.
In efforts to be more inclusive to the first responders & veterans we serve we changed our business name to, Across All Lines, in April 2022 to match our K9 division.
If you’re thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend/loved one, or would like emotional support, these resources are confidential and available 24/7 across the United States.
First Responders Crisis Text Line
Text "BADGE" to 741741
Safe Call Now (All Public Safety)
1-877-230-6060
NVFC (Fire/EMS/Rescue) Crisis Line
1-888-731-3473
Created by firefighters
Copline Crisis Line
1-800-267-5463
Manned by retired police officers
Veterans Crisis Line
1-800-273-8255 (press 1)
Text 838255
"Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disorder that develops in some people who have experienced a shocking, scary, or dangerous event. It is natural to feel afraid during and after a traumatic situation. Fear triggers many split-second changes in the body to help defend against danger or to avoid it. This “fight-or-flight” response is a typical reaction meant to protect a person from harm. Nearly everyone will experience a range of reactions after trauma, yet most people recover from initial symptoms naturally. Those who continue to experience problems may be diagnosed with PTSD. People who have PTSD may feel stressed or frightened, even when they are not in danger." - National Institute of Mental Health
Trained to deal with emergencies or not, it's dangerous and scary stuff. It doesn't matter that you are choosing to run towards danger to help others, it's mentally and physically taxing. Some calls might not effect you but haunt other members of your team and vice versa. Everyone experiences the same situation differently, don't think because someone else isn't feeling the same way that there is something wrong with you.
Symptoms:
"Re-experiencing symptoms include:
Re-experiencing symptoms may cause problems in a person’s everyday routine. The symptoms can start from the person’s own thoughts and feelings. Words, objects, or situations that are reminders of the event can also trigger re-experiencing symptoms.
Avoidance symptoms include:
Things that remind a person of the traumatic event can trigger avoidance symptoms. These symptoms may cause a person to change his or her personal routine. For example, after a bad car accident, a person who usually drives may avoid driving or riding in a car.
Arousal and reactivity symptoms include:
Arousal symptoms are usually constant, instead of being triggered by things that remind one of the traumatic events. These symptoms can make the person feel stressed and angry. They may make it hard to do daily tasks, such as sleeping, eating, or concentrating.
Cognition and mood symptoms include:
Cognition and mood symptoms can begin or worsen after the traumatic event, but are not due to injury or substance use. These symptoms can make the person feel alienated or detached from friends or family members.
It is natural to have some of these symptoms for a few weeks after a dangerous event. When the symptoms last more than a month, seriously affect one’s ability to function, and are not due to substance use, medical illness, or anything except the event itself, they might be PTSD. Some people with PTSD don’t show any symptoms for weeks or months. PTSD is often accompanied by depression, substance abuse, or one or more of the other anxiety disorders." - National Institute of Mental Health
If you feel like you or someone you love is having these symptoms, please reach out for help.
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goal to improve conditions for first responders and veterans with PTSD. All donations, no matter the amount, are helpful and add up.
Donating in memory of a fallen first responder/veteran? Please add your loved ones name in the comment section during the donation process. We would love to know who you are honoring!
Mailing a donation? Send to:
Across All Lines
PO Box 561
Rogers, MN 55374-0561
