(NAFB News Service) According to recent data from the Iowa Concern Hotline, run by Iowa State Extension, most callers are just seeking a listening ear, someone to talk to who understands the stresses of farming. A new resource is available to do just that. It’s called “Farm Dog,” and it is uniquely positioned to listen and offer help to solve a crisis in the ag community. Sarah Heineman (Hine-man) is a Farm Dog Advisory Board Member.
Heineman says she has used the Farm Dog resources herself.
Like your favorite pet, Farm Dog is trustworthy and confidential, but they also offer more.
“So if you’re talking to your farm dog, they’re great listeners, but that dog isn’t going to give you that perhaps tangible advice or tangible next step on what to do to prevent one from getting to a situation that’s more in a crisis mode. And so I think that’s really that conversation around the listening pieces. We all need someone to talk to, and we want someone who understands, but who can also help take our hand and give us some tangible steps for that next piece to prevent that crisis situation.”
Farm Dog services are free of charge. They can be reached at A Trusted Ear dot org.
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Audio from NAFB News Service
Audio with Sarah Heineman, Farm Dog Advisory Board Member
