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Air Force combat firefighter heals by helping care for marine mammals in Laguna Beach

Orange County Register - 6/13/2019

Jun. 12--LAGUNA BEACH -- James Golia tossed handfuls of fish to eight hungry sea lions eagerly splashing around in a pool at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center.

The sea lions, among 83 marine mammals currently in house, were rescued from beaches along Orange County's coastline.

Golia, a highly decorated Air Force veteran who recently began volunteering at PMMC, said the hectic pace at the center is just what he needs to give him peace. After 24 years as a combat firefighter across the Middle East, he needs a distraction to keep his mind off other things that aren't so pleasant.

"Being a medic, I ran across a lot of calls," he said Tuesday, June 11, after feeding the sea lions. "I've seen the worst of the worst -- whatever you imagine war does to a person."

Golia, 51, of La Mirada, has undergone a series of surgeries at the Long Beach Veterans Administration and recently beat stage-IV thyroid cancer. He came to PMMC after learning about the center's Sea Lions for Service Members program.

The free three-hour program introduces recently returned veterans to what caretakers and staff do at PMMC to nurture and treat sick and injured marine mammals. The center has rescued 164 animals this year.

Officials at PMMC say the example of marine mammals thriving and healing in an unfamiliar environment might be something veterans can identify with, especially as some have difficulty returning to civilian life.

In May, PMMC hosted a group of eight blind veterans in partnership with the Long Beach Blind Rehabilitation Center. They participated in a sensory program that incorporated marine mammal descriptions and animal sounds, and allowed the veterans to touch items used in the mammals' care.

Golia learned about the sea lion program as a member of Team Rubicon. The nonprofit veteran service organization, founded by two Marines, uses disaster response to help reintegrate veterans back into civilian life. Recently, the group partnered with PMMC.

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After three hours of cleaning and helping to feed the animals, Golia was hooked. He enjoyed it so much he asked PMMC officials if he could volunteer weekly.

"It was a trip," he said about his first encounter. "I'd never been around marine mammals before. I'm from Southern California and I love the ocean and they live in the ocean. It just seemed right to help them."

With the variety of animals the center has taken in this year, Golia said, it's hard to identify a favorite.

"They're all cute in their own way," he said. "But harbor seals are the cutest. Elephant seals have these huge eyes and sea lions look like dogs. Sometimes, I'll go and just stare at them."

Diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and a traumatic brain injury, Golia faces constant challenges. He stays clear of crowds and loud parties and he's hyper-vigilant. His four weeks at PMMC, though, have made a difference, he said.

"Being here, I could move certain emotions and focus on something else," he said. "It takes my mind off issues. These animals sort of cleanse you."

As a special treat, Golia recently got a chance to witness the release of Creole, an elephant seal rescued by PMMC after it appeared to have been attacked by a shark. Initially, the center's staff wasn't sure the animal would make it.

"I was one of the few people who got to watch him go into the surf," Golia said. "He came on shore in need of help. They sent him back into the wild to be free. This is a total healing process for me. I felt happy and accomplished.

"I want to make a difference in the world and give back," he added. "I've been doing it with people for so long. Now, I want to do it with animals."

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(c)2019 The Orange County Register (Santa Ana, Calif.)

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