Introduction to Animal PTSD
Now and again, while walking Philly near the Rose Bowl, I bump into a dog trainer named Eldon, who generously offers pointers. My cheesesteak-shaped beagle used to go on strike during walks, but he’s improving thanks in part to Eldon’s tips. I wanted to write about that, but Eldon said he’s mostly retired and doesn’t need the publicity. His only new clients, he told me, are dogs who are still struggling with PTSD from the Eaton wildfire in January.
The Impact of Wildfires on Animals
Maybe so, Eldon said. Dogs are creatures of habit, he reminded me, as much as humans — or more. They like their homes, their neighborhoods, their familiar smells and routines. Rip all of that away overnight, and they’re knocked off balance. Eldon suggested I call Natalie Langan, owner of Trailhead Hounds, because her clients include displaced Altadenans and their discombobulated dogs. When Eldon showed me a photo of Langan, I realized I’d seen her running pack hikes on the Gabrielino Trail above the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, with a garrison of 30 or more dogs in four-legged lockstep.
Effects on Pets
“I would say roughly a quarter of all the dogs we pick up for our pack hikes are dogs from Altadena who lost their homes,” Langan told me when I called. Some dogs — and cats — have made multiple moves since the fire and had to get used to new surroundings over and over again. That can put them on edge and heighten their separation anxiety, Langan said, and if their owners are depressed or grief-stricken about loss and uncertainty, the animals absorb those emotions too.
Creating a New Normal
“Dogs see the world in patterns. That’s how we’re able to train them,” said Langan, who advises clients who lost their homes to establish new routines for their pets. “The No. 1 thing is to create a new normal, and that’s for humans as well. My parents lost their home to the fire and I’ve been helping them” build structure into their days and stay on the move “rather than sitting around the condo being sad about what’s happening.”
Coping Mechanisms
When I first wrote about the impact of the fires on dogs, cats, chickens and goldfish, I noted that Anthony Ruffin and Jonni Miller’s dog and two cats were badly shaken. Especially Mr. Thelma, a cat who refused to go outdoors at their temporary rental in La Crescenta. Dogs wait patiently as the water bowls are filled following their walk at Crescenta Valley Community Regional Park. Miller reports that Mr. Thelma, who was found wandering in the rubble of their yard several days after their home on West Palm Street in Altadena was destroyed, is OK, but still won’t go outside.
Stories of Resilience
I also checked back in with Jessica Davis, who runs Boomer’s Buddies, a Malibu animal rescue that helped families track down strays that were scattered by the Palisades fires. She said multiple moves to temporary quarters have been particularly hard on pets. “Yes, they can be resilient, but some animals carry trauma and they want to be back where they were,” Davis said. “We’re starting to see a surge of people saying, ‘I lost everything and can’t keep my animal’” until getting resettled.
Personal Stories
In Altadena, Sharon Moon and Kimbop, her 14-year-old Pomeranian, used to enjoy regular neighborhood gatherings with dogs and their owners, and Moon’s mother would join her and Kimbop on sunset hikes along the Crest Trail. “Everything is gone,” said Moon, including her home. She’s staying in Silver Lake, planning to rebuild in Altadena, and Kimbop is doing pretty well but still adjusting to different sights and missing her friends.
The Road to Recovery
Meghan Malloy and her family, who lost their home in Altadena, moved three times before settling into a rental in Sherman Oaks. It hasn’t been easy, because Malloy and her husband have a newborn, two cats (Felix and Mushu) and two golden retrievers (Arthur and Clementine). The cats are OK and so is Arthur, but he misses his yard and his friends. And then there’s Clementine, who was “a little anxious” before the fire, and more so ever since.
Pack Therapy
There is one activity, though, that always brings relief to Boudica: “Being in a big pack is her dream, and she feels so safe,” Jordan said. I know what Jordan means. Philly gets excited every time we get within three blocks of dropping him off with dog handler Burke Stuart, of Man’s Best Friend, so he can run around with his pack.
Conclusion
On Wednesday morning, Boudica joined 23 other dogs on a Trailhead Hounds hike at Crescenta Valley Community Regional Park. Langan was joined by two other trainers: her husband, Chase Langan, and Soyun Ahn. Boudica had a lot in common with Cosmo, Freckles, Lucy, Ruby and Levi, all of whom either lost their homes or were forced to move out temporarily. But I couldn’t have picked them out as the ones with issues. Tails were wagging and most of the dogs had that expression that looks like a smile, mouth half-open, tongue dangling. With plenty of grass, trees, dirt and hints of scatological delights in the air, they were in dog paradise.
FAQs
Q: How do wildfires affect animals?
A: Wildfires can cause animals to experience PTSD, separation anxiety, and depression due to the loss of their homes and familiar surroundings.
Q: How can owners help their pets cope with the aftermath of a wildfire?
A: Owners can help their pets by establishing a new routine, providing a safe and comfortable environment, and seeking professional help if necessary.
Q: What is pack therapy, and how can it help animals affected by wildfires?
A: Pack therapy involves allowing dogs to socialize and interact with other dogs in a controlled environment, which can help them feel safe and reduce anxiety.
Q: How long does it take for animals to recover from the trauma of a wildfire?
A: The recovery time for animals affected by wildfires can vary depending on the individual animal and the severity of the trauma, but with proper care and support, many animals can recover and thrive.
