OTR Wellness

10/20/2026

🟣 October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
OTR’s team has worked deep in trenches of domestic services and advocacy. The work carries with us💜.
Attached is a copy of the Personal Bill of Rights from prior work Sarah did. These were often read aloud in a group and also handed out on a regular basis. You can still find copies sitting out in our office and we use them today.

Some Information:
Domestic violence isn’t always physical—it can be emotional, financial, or digital. It thrives in silence, stigma, and isolation.

• 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men experience physical intimate partner violence in their lifetime.

• Nearly 20 people per minute are abused in the U.S.

• You are not alone, and help is available.

Resources:
If you or someone you know needs confidential support 24/7, reach out to The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788.

10/19/2026

📢Reminder!
Group tonight! 

📢 First Responder Families!
Our confidential monthly significant others group is Monday October 19th at 7pm!

Behind every badge, uniform, and siren 🚨 is a significant other navigating a completely unique set of challenges.

• 🗓️ The Gridlock: Missing birthdays, holidays, and dinners due to sudden shift changes or holdovers.
• 🧠 The Worry: Carrying the emotional weight of their safety, navigating hypervigilance, and managing secondary trauma then…getting used to it as your everyday.
• 🔄 The Solo Shift: Parenting and running a household alone during long, grueling hours. Dealing family stuff alone.

You are the steady foundation standing next to them day in and day out. You don't have to carry that weight by yourself.

Join us for our monthly Significant Others Support Group meeting. Come connect with people who truly get it, share your experiences, and find a community that stands with you. ❤️💙
Contact us to register!
Interested in us starting a virtual group? Let us know!

10/17/2026

📢 First Responder Families!
Our confidential monthly significant others group is Monday October 19th at 7pm!

Behind every badge, uniform, and siren 🚨 is a significant other navigating a completely unique set of challenges.

• 🗓️ The Gridlock: Missing birthdays, holidays, and dinners due to sudden shift changes or holdovers.
• 🧠 The Worry: Carrying the emotional weight of their safety, navigating hypervigilance, and managing secondary trauma then…getting used to it as your everyday.
• 🔄 The Solo Shift: Parenting and running a household alone during long, grueling hours. Dealing family stuff alone.

You are the steady foundation standing next to them day in and day out. You don't have to carry that weight by yourself.

Join us for our monthly Significant Others Support Group meeting. Come connect with people who truly get it, share your experiences, and find a community that stands with you. ❤️💙
Contact us to register!
Interested in us starting a virtual group? Let us know!

10/13/2026

Bruce wanted to give everybody a heads up that he’s not wearing his sweater right now because he finally got a haircut.
He also wants to share a lesson about how to face scary things…

Bruce has had a tough time going to the groomers and allowing them to cut his fur on his face and his front paws. He then is a very strong, big boy and wiggles around too much trying to escape, making it impossible for the groomers. He finally was able to work with a new groomer who helped him, with a lot of patience, and a lot of deep breathing as she made very slow movements to get him cut just right. It took a long time, but he was so happy and calm by the end.

So if you have to do something scary, Bruce says a couple things you need to do is take a lot of deep breaths, ask for patience, and take one little tiny step at a time. Thank you to Barkbus !

10/08/2026

“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.”
Today Corporal King (aka Acting Srg) brought a beautiful and very meaningful shadow box challenge coin frame made by him (King Family Woodworking) to share in the successful completion of a long tough ride. Thank you for allowing the Doc, the OTR team, and Bruce to be by your side and witness the courage, hard work, and badass healing. 💙🏍️

(Posted with full permission)

10/07/2026

10/06/2026

National Coffee with a Cop Day is Wednesday October 7th!
This is an annual community policing initiative that began in 2011 and is designed to build positive relationships and open communication between law enforcement officers and the community members they serve. It is always the 1st Wednesday of October.
https://coffeewithacop.com/national-cwac-day/

Here are a few of our local events, check the Coffee With a Cop Link for more!
The Arlington County Police Department will be at the following:
• Date & Time: Wednesday, October 7, 2026 • 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
• Location: 2690 Clarendon Boulevard, Arlington, VA
• 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
• Location: 2413 Columbia Pike, Arlington, VA

Police Department, City of Alexandria, Virginia will be at the following:
8:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Locaiton: Bradlee Shopping Center McDonalds

Fairfax County Police Department will be at the following:
Reston District• Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
• Location: 2004 Opportunity Way, Reston, VA

McLean District• Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
• Location: 6839 Redmond Dr, McLean, VA

Mount Vernon District• Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
• Location: 2511 Parkers Ln, Alexandria, VA

West Springfield District• Time: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM (Note: Some FCPD postings note an extension until 11:30 AM)
• Location: Target / Starbucks, 10301 New Guinea Rd, Fairfax, VA

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police Department:

Dulles 9-11 a.m.
📍 Near the H Gates, across from Dunkin' Donuts and the Mobile Lounge

DCA 9-12pm
📍 Terminal 1 Checkpoint
📍 Terminal 2 North Security Checkpoint

10th Annual National Coffee with a Cop DayWednesday, Oct. 7, 2026 The 411 Humble Beginnings Host an Event Promoting The Buzz National CWAC Day in a NutshellNational Coffee with a Cop day is a day dedicated to encourage communication and positive interactions between law enforcement agencies and the....

10/01/2026

💜

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. 💜

Throughout October, we’ll be sharing ways to learn about domestic violence, recognize unhealthy and abusive behaviors, support victims and survivors, strengthen healthy relationships, and take meaningful action in our communities.

What’s one thing you want to learn or do this DVAM? Tell us in the comments.

Follow along throughout the month for resources, conversations and ways to take action. And remember: You don’t have to navigate this alone. Support is available 24/7.

📞 Call: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
💬 Text “START” to 88788
💻 Chat: thehotline.org

09/30/2026

OTR’s Bridget and Jennifer guided Fredericksburg’s Department of Social Services through some much needed self care tactics and relaxation today….with Bruce’s and Sarah’s assistance.
Social Workers are First Responders… they too walk by your side in the dark and carry the flashlight.

Read more here: https://www.facebook.com/share/1C2BLb8wwd/?mibextid=wwXIfr