# @americanredcross on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/Cv8CUOsJSNL
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/72591757-americanredcross-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/3717d5b9b7.jpg
- **Posted:** 2023-08-14T20:15:42.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** American Red Cross (@americanredcross) — https://gondola.cc/americanredcross

## Caption

Say aloha to Pika, a therapy dog that's bringing comfort to shelter residents impacted by the Hawaii wildfires. Pika and her handler, Jordan, are part of a local group of therapists providing mental health services to people affected.

"When people are traumatized, they are often not ready to talk, not able to connect or ground themselves," she said. "So petting a dog – that’s natural to most people and brings them back to the present. I had to make sure I brought her."

Jordan's family is okay, but she knows many people who have lost their homes in Lahaina. She said it's been a powerful experience to see "the lights turn back on" in people and see them smile when Pika comes up to them.

“All of our hearts are hurting right now, so whatever we can do, even if it’s a small thing, a few hours of time – anything that anyone can do is just, you get that benefit and relief knowing that you’re helping someone in your community.”

#MauiWildfire #Disaster #TherapyDog #Maui #RedCross #MauiStrong

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 649
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 19

## Tags

disaster, maui, mauistrong, mauiwildfire, redcross, therapydog

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