I Need Blue
I turned around to see a masked man pointing a gun at me. It was just the beginning of a series of events, including robbery and abduction, which changed my life forever. I Need Blue, hosted by Jen Lee, is a podcast series featuring lived-experiences from survivors of life events. I NEED BLUE creates space for survivors of trauma to feel they BELONG, are LOVED, UNDERSTOOD and EMPOWERED! I called 9-1-1 and they provided me with life-saving directions to help my customer who was having a medical emergency. Law enforcement rescued us and caught the robber. Our first-responders face unique traumas every day. I NEED BLUE provides space for them too!
I Need Blue
Furry First Responders: How Dogs Support Mental Health After Crisis
When tragedy struck Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018, Laura—a licensed school psychologist—found herself on the front lines of grief and trauma. But amid the heartbreak, she witnessed something remarkable: therapy dogs offering comfort in ways words couldn't. That experience sparked the creation of Everyday Feathers Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to supporting families facing canine cancer while promoting mental health through the healing power of dogs.
Laura's journey from educator to mental health advocate deepened her belief in the human-animal bond. "Dogs aren't just pets, they're family," she says, highlighting how they ease loneliness, provide comfort, and help ground us during emotional crises. Everyday Feathers Foundation grew from this understanding, creating a space where both people and their dogs receive care during life’s toughest moments. This conversation offers powerful insights into how love, resilience, and the presence of a loyal companion can light the way through darkness.
Connect with Laura:
Email: hello@everydayfeathers.org
Website: https://www.everydayfeathers.org/
Submit request for Broody Blessings: https://www.everydayfeathers.org/
Donate: https://www.everydayfeathers.org/donatenow
Connect with Jen:
I Need Blue now has a new home at The Healing in Sharing! Visit thehealinginsharing.com to explore Round Chair Conversations, all relevant I Need Blue content, and ways to support the mission of sharing stories that inspire hope and resilience.
By sharing the hidden lines of our stories, we remind each other we are not alone — together, we step out of hiding and into healing.
Instagram: @ineedbluepodcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ineedblue
Apple Podcasts: Listen & Subscribe
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHealingInSharing11
Memoir: Why I Survived, by Jennifer Lee on Amazon
I was introduced to Everyday Feathers by a friend who invited me on a walk to support this meaningful non-profit. Their mission supporting families facing a dog's cancer diagnosis, while promoting mental health through the love of dogs, immediately resonated with me. The walk was a powerful experience, surrounded by nature, dogs and a shared purpose. I felt a deep connection. Dogs aren't just pets, they're family. They offer comfort, reduce loneliness and help us stay present, playing a vital role in emotional healing. Later I reconnected with Laura, one of the organization's directors of Everyday Feathers, a former teacher and now a licensed school psychologist.
Speaker 1:One of the most critical roles in her career has been offering mental health support to students in the aftermath of traumatic events. Living in South Florida, laura was among the mental health professionals called upon after the devastating mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland in February 2018. In the days that followed, as she supported grieving students, she witnessed firsthand the powerful and calming impact therapy dogs had on the school community. Amid unimaginable loss and trauma, these animals brought comfort, stability and healing. It was in that moment that Laura realized the profound role dogs could play in supporting our collective mental health, and she was inspired to take action. Everyday Feathers was born from that realization, a mission shaped by need, fueled by compassion and driven by the healing power of the human-animal bond. And driven by the healing power of the human-animal bond, I'm so excited to continue this discussion Without further delay. Welcome, laura, and thank you for being my guest on the I Need Blue podcast.
