Testimonial Tuesday: A Lifeline on My Double Shift
As an EMT, I've grown accustomed to unpredictable hours, but last week pushed me to my limits. Eight hours into my shift, my supervisor asked if I could stay for another full rotation due to a multi-car accident that had stretched our team thin. My first thought wasn't about my own exhaustion—it was about Rufus, my German Shepherd, who had already been alone for hours longer than planned. In the middle of treating a patient with a broken arm, I remembered R3 Contingencies, the concierge service my hospital had recently added to our benefits package. During a brief moment between patients, I sent a quick message explaining my situation. Within minutes, I received a confirmation: "We'll take care of Rufus. Don't worry about a thing." Throughout my double shift, I received updates that brought me immeasurable relief. First, a photo of the R3 representative signing for an important package I'd been expecting. Then, the highlight is a selfie of Rufus looking perfectly content on his walk, tongue hanging happily as he posed with the R3 staff member. "Fed, watered, walked twice, and given plenty of attention," read the message. "He's a wonderful dog. We'll check on him again before you get home." When I finally made it back to my apartment sixteen hours after leaving, Rufus greeted me with his usual enthusiasm—not the anxious, distressed behavior I would have expected after such a long absence. My package was neatly placed on the counter, his water bowl was fresh, and a note confirmed he'd been walked just an hour before. In our line of work, we're accustomed to being the ones providing emergency care to others. Having R3 step in when I needed support made me realize how rarely I allow myself to accept help. Now, knowing Rufus is taken care of during unexpected shifts, I can focus entirely on my patients without that nagging worry in the back of my mind. For those of us in emergency services, peace of mind is perhaps the most valuable commodity. R3 Contingencies delivered exactly that when I needed it most.
