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    Five year-old Matt Doughty sits in a hospital room with a severely burned hand. His mother tells doctors that he ran his hand over an open burner, but she actually caused the injury. After this incident, Doughty spent the following years between his father’s house, foster and group homes in the Minneapolis metro area.

   After getting in trouble with the law at 16, Matt was offered to either serve his 18 month sentence or take EJJ, Extended Jurisdiction Juvenile. This requires minors to be under strict parole until the age of 21, with one small infraction sending them into their sentence. At the age of 20, Doughty violated parole and found himself in the St. Cloud Correctional Facility.

   After being released nine months into his sentence, he found himself with next to nothing and a felony on his record. Despite this, he made the decision to create a better life for himself.

   Since Matt was not able to enlist in the military because of his record, he moved to Dassel, and served in their Volunteer Fire Department. After serving in Dassel for 10 years, he and his wife, who he met while in the area, bought a property in Remer and moved in late 2022.

   The Mayo Clinic states that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is “a mental health condition that’s triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.” This can be very debilitating to the people experiencing it, and can interfere with everyday activities that most people do not think twice about. From his childhood, prison experience and time as a firefighter, Matt had developed Complex PTSD (C-PTSD).

Matt with his service dog Jax. Jax was the first dog in the program and performs tasks for Matt. Jax also provides public education in the community as a face of the charity Across All Lines. Photos submitted.

  

 The idea of PTSD is already a stigmatized topic, especially with many veterans and first responders. Matt, like many others, has struggled with PTSD and processing events that occur on call. Many that have emotionally intensive jobs do not want to “burden” people with their experiences, as they are usually very traumatizing. Although it may seem easier to not talk about these topics, that is actually the worst thing you can do.

   Doughty compares our brains to a computer tower. “If they are not cleaned, purged or taken care of, they build up, slow down and get clogged with bad memories. When it comes to processing the trauma we see, that’s huge.” He further explains that PTSD symptoms are usually caused by a trigger, and the trigger sets the “hamster wheel” in motion, and if you can’t find a way to deal with that, you are stuck in the wheel, the cycle. One of the best ways that Doughty found to help with this, is to talk to others that understand what you are going through. After a tough call, the firefighters will sit, debrief the experience and process it before heading back to their families. Luckily, Doughty has a great support system to help with his struggles, but many do not.

   This is one of the reasons Doughty founded Across All Lines, a nonprofit organization to help other first responders with their PTSD, and he does this by giving easier access to therapy dogs. 

Across All Lines works to bridge the gap in mental health support for first responders and veterans.

   The wait list for therapy dogs can be years long, and cost thousands of dollars that many do not have. Doughty helps first responders and veterans find a dog, or if they have one already, he will train and certify them along with the owner. Across All Lines focuses on three training levels: Service, Therapy and Emotional Support. Service dogs require the most training, and have the most benefits, such as flying on an airplane and accompanying the owner into any establishment. 

   Another thing that Doughty does to give back to other first responders is take calls from those in distress. When he has free time, he will turn on a special number on his phone. First responders will visit ServeandProtect.org and call their crisis hotline. They will then be rerouted to his number. “A lot of them just need someone to talk to. Someone that has been in their field and understands.” Even something as simple as listening can go a long way.

   Matt speaks across the country to advocate for first responders struggling with PTSD, and works tirelessly to change the narrative around the disorder. While advocating in the Minnesota Capital for PTSD to be added to the list of areas covered by workers compensation for first responders in 2021, a legislator suggested that he apply for a pardon. After 20 years, Matt finally had a clean record. Matt has given his entire adult life to helping better the community, and support those that carry safety on their backs.

   Before moving to Remer, Doughty wrote an autobiography called A Revelation: Moving Beyond PTSD and Foster Care. In this book, he travels with the reader through the circumstances that landed him in foster care, on the streets and into prison. Matt takes a look at ways for the reader to overcome their past and grow from their experiences. Matt hopes that the book can be helpful for others going through tough times, and make them feel less alone. This book can be ordered through the website www.AcrossAllLines.org 

   As if that was not enough on Doughty’s plate, he recently started a new business, Bigfoot Power Washing and Mobile Detailing. Using skills that he learned while still in Dassel, Matt travels to power wash homes, cabins, decks, boat canopies, and details cars and boats. 

   Not only that, but Matt is a full time Dad, too. He and his wife, Aimee, have three daughters: Leah, 15; Kelsey, 13 and Madalyn, 12. “I am so happy to give them a life that I didn’t have. I am so glad that I was able to break the cycle with them. Everything that I do is for them.” 

   Matt’s next step is to build up Bigfoot Power Washing and Mobile Detailing, find a forever home for Across All Lines and be the best Dad that he can. Across All Lines is looking for a facility that will allow them to house dogs, work on public training and build a memorial. Suicide is prevalent among first responders, and Matt wants to honor those lost by making a memorial, so those who lost their battle are never forgotten. 

   To support Matt and his efforts, you can visit AcrossAllLines.org. The organization is always looking for donations and volunteers. If you are interested in a deeper dive of his story, you can order his autobiography on the website. If your vehicle, boat, home or cabin could use a cleanup call Bigfoot Power Washing and Mobile Detailing at (651) 207-3945.

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