The East Jefferson Advocate 08-20-2025

For firefighters in stress, help begins with four legs and a cold nose

BY ROBERT S. WOLF

Contributing writer

With four legs, two floppy ears and shiny golden hair, Captain Billy is not your typical New Orleans Fire Department officer You won’t find him driving the ladder truck or handling hoses, but this 2-year-old golden retriever is the department’s first crisis response dog with a mission to help first responders deal with the immense stress that comes from handling the worst tragedies a big city can offer Captain Billy was donated to the NOFD by Thin Line Service Dogs, a nonprofit from West Virginia that raises service dogs for military and first responders, and he officially

“He can detect signs and symptoms of acute stress. He has an intricate way of sensing when something isn’t right, and he can cue on things like rubbing your hands, bouncing your leg, or if someone is sobbing, he will visit that person.”

THE REV JOSHUA HOLDER, NOFD

chaplain

became part of the Fire Department several weeks ago with a “Passing of the Leash” ceremony

chaplain, said Captain Billy gives the stress management team a powerful assistant to help improve mental health care for the entire department.

“He can detect signs and symptoms of acute stress,” said Holder, who worked for 18 years as a firefighter and EMS technician in Illinois. “He has an intricate way of sensing when something isn’t right, and he can cue on things like rubbing your hands, bouncing your leg, or if someone is sobbing, he will visit that person.”

When Captain Billy detects stress in someone, he gets their attention with gentle gestures like nudging

Crisis response dog Captain Billy is trained to sense turmoil ä See STRESS, page 2G

The Rev Joshua Holder, NOFD

WRIT LARGE

up his signed commitment pledge

High school and colleges have commitment signing events for athletes, so why can’t a kindergarten have a signing day for its newest scholars? Lake Forest Charter School in New Orleans recently did just that, welcoming young ones and their families into the community. Students committed to academic excellence, modeling scholarly behavior and pursuing high-quality learning.

The events of Aug. 29, 2005 and their aftereffects are seared into our collective memory To mark the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, events both unusual and traditional are beginning in mid-August and continuing into September From screenings and concerts to book readings and second lines, metro-area residents will gather to remember and reflect. Here are some events that will take place during August. For city of New Orleans events see katrina20.nola.gov. “SURVIVING KATRINA: THE HOPE, HEALING AND REBIRTH OF

ORLEANS”: Artist Ted Ellis will showcase a series of paintings highlighting stories of

healing and renewal at the Tate, Etienne & Prevost Center, 5909 St. Claude Ave. in New Orleans, through Nov. 7. www.tepcenter. org. CITYWIDE DAY OF SERVICE: The event on Aug. 23, 8:30-10:30 a.m., at the Oliver Bush Playground, 2500 Fats Domino Ave. in New Orleans, kicks off a week of activities and public service initiatives. There will be a cleanup at the playground. Registration opens at 8 a.m. GUIDED LEVEE BREACH TOUR: On Aug. 23, 9-10:30

Shannon DeLavallade, a mental health coordinator with the New Orleans Fire Department, hangs out with Captain Billy

their hands with his head, putting his head on their lap or gently leaning against their legs. He will stay near a person to let mental health workers and chaplains know something may need to be addressed further, Holder said.

“People don’t always want to talk, but it gives us an opening,” he added.

Defining Captain Billy’s job

Seeing After Shannon DeLavallade, mental health coordinator for the NOFD, met Chief Mooney, the crisis response dog with the St. Tammany Fire Protection District No. 11 in Slidell she immediately knew her department could benefit from a canine assistant. She was instrumental in acquiring Captain Billy. There’s even a family connection between the two dogs: Chief Mooney is Captain Billy’s uncle.

“Crisis response canines are different from therapy dogs or service dogs who are trained for one specific individual,” said DeLavallade, a licensed social worker who worked with young people in crisis before coming to the NOFD. “Captain Billy is trained to work with groups and a variety of people.”

DeLavallade will bring Captain Billy to debriefings and defusings after traumatic incidents, such as a death, to help detect people who are having a hard time processing the stress.

“First responders have all the

KATRINA

Continued from page 1G

normal daily stresses that we all have in life, but they also have the added stress of each call on the job,” she said. “Most people never have to deal with that added layer of responsibility and stress which can be very traumatic.”

The first line of defense

DeLavallade explained that

Captain Billy looks for signs that someone is stressed and then does what he can to redirect that stress.

Once her team can start a dialogue with that person, they can offer resources such as counseling or connecting them with a therapist to get past whatever is bothering them

Holder said there are direct therapeutic benefits to Captain Billy’s presence.

“When you pet a dog enough times, it puts you in a relaxed state,” Holder said. “The brain releases hormones which immediately begin to counter the stress.”

DeLavallade has already benefited from Captain Billy’s emotional awareness skills.

“For me, this job can be stressful because I take on the stress of the members and I make myself available to their immediate families,” DeLavallade said. “Captain Billy can sense when I’m a little overwhelmed, and he will come lay his head on my lap, so he’s really given the Fire Department a way to identify that someone might need some help, even if it’s me who needs a pat on the back or a word of encouragement.”

Getting some dog time

Captain Billy goes home after work with a district chief who has several other golden retrievers to give him some dog time with his own pack after a long day assisting people. Members are receiving the dog very well, DeLavallade said, and the team is visiting the engine houses across the city this week, including a stop at the training academy to visit new recruits.

and tradition, the rights and challenges faced by communities that have gone through disaster. Registration is required. www.taproot. earth/en/katrina-2025.

TURNING THE TIDE: WEATHERING KATRINA: Journalists from The Times-Picayune who stayed in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina will talk about what it was like to report during the storm and its aftermath at a panel discussion on Aug. 27, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at the Tidewater Building Auditorium, 1440 Canal St. in New Orleans. The Times-Picayune won two Pulitzer Prizes in 2006 for its coverage of the hurricane and its aftermath, including a gold medal for meritorious public service Also, the exhibit, “Operation Dream: A Futurespective for New Orleans, Another 20 Years PostKatrina,” is on display through Nov. 7 in the Diboll Gallery adjacent to the auditorium.

DISCUSSION WITH SANDY ROSENTHAL: Sandy Rosenthal, founder of Levees.Org, will share how she exposed the Army Corps of Engineers’ role in the levee failures after Katrina, an experience she details in her book, “Words Whispered in Water,” on Aug. 27 6-8 p.m., at Octavia Books, 513 Octavia St. in New Orleans. A book signing will follow the discussion www.octaviabooks.com.

WOMEN OF THE STORM FILM SCREENING: The Gulf States Newsroom will host a screening on Aug. 27, 6-8 p.m., at the Prytania Theatre, 5339 Prytania St. in New Orleans, of the 2015 documentary film that chronicles the efforts of a group of New Orleans women who mobilized after Katrina to advocate for the city’s recovery. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion with Q&A. Tickets are free via Eventbrite.

THE STATE OF NEW ORLEANS CULTURE: 20 YEARS AFTER KATRINA: The Ella Project will present a public panel discussion Aug. 28 at the New Orleans Jazz Museum, 400 Esplanade Ave. in New Orleans, moderated by journalist and documentarian Lolis Eric Elie Reception at 5 p.m.; discussion at 6 p.m. in the museum’s third-floor performance space Free. nolajazzmuseum.org

“LIVING WITH HURRICANES: KATRINA AND BEYOND”: The technologically enhanced exhibit opens Aug. 29 at the Presbytère

Anjanette Montano, co-founder of Thin Line Service Dogs, said

the company breeds dogs with the right temperament and training starts for the puppies when they are just 3 days old.

“The dogs can minimize PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) by helping people under stress release hormones, dopamine and all the other happy chemicals in the brain,” Montano said. “Our dogs are really good at calming people by redirecting that fight or flight reaction.” It takes several years of intensive training before a crisis response dog is ready for the job, and Montano said Billy was sponsored by a $30,000 scholarship from Hollywood Casino in Charles Town, West Virginia, to cover the cost of the dog and two years of training.

the London

Museum in Jackson Square, 751 Chartres St. in New Orleans, featuring immersive visuals, enhanced recovery storytelling and new artifacts deepening the narrative of survival and adaptation of the Gulf Coast. Free. louisianastatemuseum.org.

“DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT MEANS: KATRINA @ 20”: An exhibit from the Midlo Center for New Orleans Studies and the Earl K. Long Library Louisiana & Special Collections will mark the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, exploring the storm’s impact and enduring legacy The exhibit will open Aug. 29 at the UNO library, 2000 Lakeshore Drive, and will be on display throughout the fall. libcal.uno.edu.

20 YEARS BEYOND KATRINA: MEMORY, LEADERSHIP, AND RESILIENCE: The panel discussion will be held Aug. 29, 10 a.m., at Le Petit

Théâtre du Vieux Carré, 616 St. Peter in New Orleans, featuring Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser author and historian Walter Isaacson, former Jefferson Parish President Aaron Broussard and former journalist Norman Robinson, reflecting on lessons learned, the rebuilding process and the future of hurricane preparedness in Louisiana. Free.

KATRINA MARCH AND SECOND-LINE: A second line and other events on Aug. 29, 10 a.m.-

5 p.m., at North Galvez Street and Jourdan

Avenue, will honor those impacted by Katrina and call attention to ongoing issues. The event will start the morning in the Lower 9th Ward where the levees broke, with a healing ceremony and a reading of the names of those who died, followed by a march through the streets until a brass band joins at the halfway point to lead the rest of the way. It ends with a rally with speakers and performers. Free; RSVP is requested. katrina20.com.

KATRINA MEMORIAL MASS: St. Bernard Parish will host a solemn remembrance on Aug. 29, starting at 11 a.m. with a memorial Mass at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church, 2320 Paris Road in Chalmette. The Rev. Gregory M. Aymond, archbishop of New Orleans, will be the principal celebrant. A wreathlaying ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. at Shell Beach Katrina Memorial, 1320 Yscloskey Highway in St. Bernard. Limited bus service available from the church to Shell Beach by reservation. kthiel@sbpg.net (504) 278-4303.

“A REASON TO STAY”: A documentary screening and concert will be held at the Broad Theater, 636 N. Broad St. in New Orleans, on Aug. 29, 7-9 p.m. The documentary by Peter Becnel captures life in a Mid-City neighborhood just

after Hurricane Katrina. A concert featuring R. Scully and Friends will follow. Tickets for the events are separate and start at $8.

WAVES OF GRACE: REMEMBERING KATRINA: A concert by Louisiana performing artists, survivors’ testimonies and the inaugural Waves of Grace Service Award, honoring first responders and relief heroes, will be held Aug. 29, 7 p.m., at the Orpheum Theater, 129 Roosevelt Way in New Orleans. Tickets start at $59.80 via Ticketmaster. orpheumnola.

MAYOR’S K20 SUMMIT: The mayor’s Hurricane Katrina 20th Anniversary Commemorative Summit, to be held Aug. 30, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., at Gallier Hall, 545 St. Charles Ave. in New Orleans, will be a day of reflection featuring speakers, panel discussions and opportunities to connect with others impacted by the storm. Free; reserve tickets at Eventbrite. katrina20.nola.gov.

“504: A YOUTH HIP-HOP MUSICAL ABOUT HURRICANE KATRINA”: The premiere of Anthony Bean’s drama about the aftermath of the storm’s devastation will be performed Aug. 30, 7 p.m., at the Orpheum Theater, 129 Roosevelt Way in New Orleans. The cast features more than 50 young actors, dancers and singers from the New Orleans area. Tickets start at $25 through Ticketmaster. orpheumnola. net.

LOWER 9TH WARD HOUSING SUMMIT & COMMUNITY RESOURCE FAIR: The Lower 9th Ward Homeownership Association will sponsor a community fair on Aug. 30, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., at the Andrew P. Sanchez & Copelin-Byrd Multi-Service Center, 1616 Fats Domino Ave in New Orleans. It will feature discussions on the future of the neighborhood, a resource fair, cultural activities, along with a keynote speaker and two panel discussions.

DEEPLY ROOTED: 20 YEARS AND BEYOND: A block party highlighting the progress made in the Claiborne Corridor Cultural Innovation District will be held Aug. 31,

Tabitha just reached her first birthday and is looking to find a home. Her caramel-dappled coat is sure to turn heads. She has spunk, beauty, plus the brains. To learn more, email adoptionteam@ animalrescue neworleans.org

PROVIDED PHOTO

SCHOOL NOTES

XAVIER PREP REUNION: Registration is open for the 2025 Prep All Class alumni picnic, hosted by the class of 1992, on Sept. 6, noon to 6 p.m., in Audubon Park. The family-friendly event will include live entertainment, with each class having its own tent. Details online at https://form.jotform. com/251597561173160.

REUNION: The 50th reunion of the graduating class of 1976 will be held April 10 2026. The reunion committee is seeking contact information from class members Details are available on the JFK Class of ’76 Facebook page. cbrylski@aol.com.

JOHN MCDONOUGH HIGH: The class of 1960 will host its 65th reunion Oct. 22, noon3 p.m., at the Elks Lodge, 2215 Cleary Ave. in Metairie Contacts for information or registration are Patricia Schoendorf Meyer at meyer. patricia@att.net and Jeanette Daigle LeBlanc at (504) 432-2115.

NEW ORLEANS PUBLIC

SCHOOLS: Open enrollment events will be held for Early Learning & Child Care during Fridays in August and September. These sessions offer personalized support for enrolling children birth to 4 years in Early Learning & Child Care programs, starting or completing applications, exploring available learning centers, checking application status and answering enrollment questions. Event dates are Aug.

22 and Sept. 5, 12, 19 and 26. See details at enrollnolaps. com.

ST. MATTHEW THE APOSTLE

CATHOLIC SCHOOL: St. Matthew, a PK3-7 school in River Ridge, has earned Procedo STREAM Accreditation, a certification that affirms excellence in Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics education. The school integrates STREAM learning into every subject. Principal at St. Matthew is Tony Bonura

TROMBONE SHORTY ACADEMY: Registration is open through Aug. 22 for the 2025-2026 school year for the after-school program through the Trombone Shorty Foundation. The free academy offers New Orleans youth ages 12-18 the chance to learn how to play in a musical ensemble and to develop an appreciation for New Orleans music and history. Auditions are to be held Aug. 25. Details at www tromboneshortyfoundation. org.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES HEAD START: Catholic Charities is accepting applications for its Head Start preschool program, available to children in Orleans Parish who will turn 3 or 4 years old by Sept 30. Head Start is free for families who meet income guidelines. Applications for the four participating Orleans Parish schools are available online. ccano.org/ head-start-program.

COLLEGE

LOYOLA

As a pet owner for nearly 20 years, I’ve had my fair share of animal emergencies. It seems that most of them have happened outside of normal veterinarian business hours.

Owners are often faced with a dilemma when a potential pet health emergency arises and the vet’s office is closed. It may be on a weekend, holiday or in the middle of the night when a pet becomes sick, and a decision has to be made: Should we go to the after-hours emergency clinic right away, or is it OK to wait until regular business hours to visit our own vet.

It can be hard to tell if a situation is truly an emergency When I was a new pet owner, I considered everything to be an emergency Now

I know what is urgent and what can wait.

If there is a question as to the severity of an after-hours situation, call the emergency clinic or a 24-hour animal hospital and ask to speak to a veterinarian. Explaining the circumstances or symptoms can help them determine if an emergency visit is necessary

Any unusual symptoms or behavior should be reported to the family vet and a visit should be scheduled as soon as possible. However, there are some situations that require immediate care and cannot wait.

If a pet is experiencing any of the following symptoms, get immediate medical attention:

n If a pet is hit by vehicle, seek help immediately While injuries may not be visible, there could be internal damage and/or bleeding that could be fatal if not treated immediately

n Extreme pain, usually accompanied by rapid breathing and moans of pain. If pain is suspected, do not waste time, and do not give the animal over-the-counter medication or human prescription medicines.

n Difficulty breathing, or if breathing

becomes either shallow or superrapid.

n The animal is nonresponsive, comatose, wavering or collapsing when walking.

n Seizures, if this is a new occurrence and the pet is not already diagnosed or on medication for this condition.

n Ingesting possible poison or a medication that was not meant for the pet, or even a small quantity of chocolate.

Call a veterinarian immediately or the poison control line for animals at (888) 426-4435. This line is available 24 hours a day

n Vomiting that continues, particularly if blood is in vomit.

n Bleeding from mouth or rectum. If it is only a small amount in the stool, it can wait for the vet’s office to open but if it is blood only, get medical attention immediately

We never know when an emergency will happen, so be prepared. Make sure your veterinarian’s phone number is saved in your contacts, as well as the address and number of a nearby after-hours emergency clinic or 24-hour animal hospital. If in doubt as to whether a situation is an emergency, call a veterinarian and ask. In true emergency situations, time is of the essence.

Events

AUG. 24: Animal Rescue New Orleans will be at the PetSmart Dogs Days of Summer adoption event from noon to 4 p.m. at 6851 Veterans Blvd., Metairie. Meet dogs available

RACE REGISTRATION: Discounted

SPCA cuts adoption fees in August

The Louisiana SPCA is reducing its adoption fees in August to help animals in their care find forever families. It’s all part in the national Clear the Shelters campaign, an effort to find loving homes for pets in need during August. Louisiana SPCA’s New Orleans and Plaquemines shelters have taken in more than 940 animals in the past two months, nearly one-anda-half times as many as were adopted

Donors can support the Louisiana SPCA’s ongoing sheltering efforts through the Clear the Shelters campaign, during which Hill’s Pet Nutrition will match donations dollar for dollar each week, with up to $25,000 in total matching grants to the Clear the Shelters Fund. Information is available at donate.clearthesheltersfund. org.

Adoption fees through August are $210 for puppies and small dogs, $25 for large dogs (40 pounds and over), $75 for kittens and $25 for adult cats. Underdogs, heartworm-positive dogs and foster dogs are free. Information on adoptable animals from both the LASPCA’s New Orleans and Plaquemines Shelter can be found at louisianaspca.org/ adopt.

Local artist Phil Sandusky will focus on his book “Painting Katrina” when he appears at 7 p.m. Aug. 26 at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie. His second book includes paintings of New Orleans one year before the hurricane, his paintings of the dramatic scenes of destruction in the immediate aftermath, and his paintings of New Orleans’ recovery, a year or so after the storm.

Sandusky has produced four books of his paintings, and he will discuss his work and sign copies.

The text of “Painting Katrina” chronicles Sandusky’s experiences painting the hurricane destruction, along with more information about his approach. Sandusky was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, where he began formal art training. He attended Jacksonville University and earned a bachelor’s degree in physics.

After graduating, he worked on offshore drilling rigs, but he was eventually promoted and transferred to an office in New Orleans Falling in love with the city’s rich landscape and architecture, he began to immerse himself in painting once again. The culture of his new home inspired his book “New Orleans en Plein Air.

Sandusky is represented by Cole Pratt Gallery in New Orleans, Reinike Gallery in Atlanta, and Stellers Gallery in Jacksonville. His work can be seen in museum collections including the New Orleans Museum of Art, the Louisiana State Museum, and the Danforth Museum of Art in Framingham, Massachusetts. He is an instructor of landscape and life painting at the New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts.

FOOD AND COCKTAIL DEMO: Free demonstrations by Liz Williams and Elizabeth Pearce will take place at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 20 at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie.

Williams, host of a podcast titled “Tip of the Tongue,” will show patrons how to make parsley quinoa with golden raisins and peanuts. Pearce, a local mixologist and owner of

the educational company Drink and Learn, will demonstrate how to make hurricanes.

Patrons will be allowed to sample the dishes that are prepared. Those younger than 21 will not be served alcohol.

EMPLOYEES HONORED: The Friends of the Jefferson Public Library held a reception to honor four employees who earned Master’s of Library Science degrees during the past year. They are Cynthia “Atti” Brecka, Leo Castell, Jordan Hebert, and Rae Vosburg. Castell earned his degree from the University of Southern Mississippi, while the others earned their degrees from LSU GRANT WRITING: Katie Mitchell, founder and president of CCC Firm and Business Source II, will lead a grant writing seminar from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Aug. 25, at the East Bank Regional Library 4747 W Napoleon Ave., Metairie. Those who attend will learn how to write a winning grant proposal, how to find

grants, how to identify the best grants that fit their needs, and best practices for grant writing.

IN TUNE: Several music events are coming up at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie.

The American Legion Post 377 Band performs a free concert at 2 p.m. Aug. 24.

The Crescent City Big Band performs at 7 p.m. Aug. 28 COMPUTER CLASSES: Those interested in computer classes should go to the JPL website, then to the classes to register These classes will be at the East Bank Regional Library 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie.

n Microsoft Excel 3: 10 a.m. to noon, Aug. 21

n One-on-One Slot in Basic Computers/ Smart Phone Skills: 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., 2:30 to 3 p.m., and 3:30 p.m., Aug. 21

n One-on-One Slot in Basic Computers/ Smart Phone Skills: 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.,

‘Weathering Katrina’

Journalists who stayed for storm recall what they saw

BY JANE LEGROS Contributing writer

Get the inside story about what happened in the city during and right after Hurricane Katrina as the New Orleans Public Library

commemorates the 20th anniversary of the storm by partnering with Tulane University to present

“Turning the Tide: Weathering Katrina, Setting the Record Straight and Changing History” at the Tidewater Building on Aug 27 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Hear from The Times-Picayune journalists who stayed in New Orleans when the storm hit They will share what they experienced, and then wrote about, after Hurricane Katrina.

“Turning the Tide” is a panel conversation facilitated by Terri Troncale and Norman Robinson and will feature award-winning

journalists Trymaine Lee, Doug MacCash, John McCusker, David Meeks and Michael Perlstein

AUTHOR TALK: New York Times

bestseller Casey McQuiston will visit the New Orleans Public Library via Zoom on Aug. 20 from 6 p.m to 7 p.m for a virtual author talk titled “Returning to Romance Through Food and Flirty Fun in Fiction.”

McQuiston will discuss the romantic comedy “The Pairing,” which follows two bisexual exes who accidentally book the same European food and wine tour Along the way, they challenge each other to a hookup competition to prove they’re over each other except they’re definitely not.

McQuiston is a No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of romantic comedies, including “One Last Stop,” “Red, White & Royal Blue,” and “I Kissed Shara Wheeler.”

Born and raised in southern Louisiana, McQuiston now lives in New York City Visit nolalibrary co/McQuiston to register and submit your questions for the author

TAKING NOTES: Learn to bind a simple, elegant notebook or sketchbook using a historical Japanese bookbinding method at two 30-minute workshops with all supplies provided.

The first will be held at Dr Martin Luther King Jr Library, 1611 Fats Domino Ave., on Aug. 22 at 11 a.m. The second workshop will be at Nix Library, 1401 S. Carrollton Ave., on Aug. 27 at 5 p.m.

Both workshops will cover the same four stitches for this historical Japanese bookbinding structure: Four-hole, noble, hemp leaf and tortoise shell.

Single sheets are stacked and bound to create this simple and elegant binding.

VOLUNTEER DAY: Teens can serve their community, be creative, socialize, and earn service-learning hours at Algiers Regional’s Teen Volunteer Day from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 23. Registration required Teen Volunteer Day is open to teens ages 14-18. Visit nolalibrary.org/teens to learn more about volunteering at the library MATH BRUSH UP: Students in third through sixth grade are invited to up their math skills and learn some fun games at Dr Martin Luther King Jr Library’s Math Workouts program on