A new, four-legged team member is starting at Airdrie and District Victim Assistance Society (ADVAS) Oct. 31. Jake, a three-year-old black lab, will use his training as a Trauma Dog to help support local victims of crime and tragedy, according to an Airdrie RCMP press release.
Trauma dogs are used in many policing agencies across Canada, according to RCMP, to comfort victims and help put them at ease when going through a difficult time.
“We’ve seen the benefits that interacting with a Trauma Dog can have for people who are dealing with a crisis, especially children,” said Debbie Reid, ADVAS court co-ordinator. “We are very pleased to be adding this service to the supports that we offer.”
Jake is specially trained to be a calming and comforting presence for victims or witnesses of traumatic events. According to the release, he comes to Airdrie from The Lions Foundation of Canada, an organization that breeds and trains service dogs for placement across the country. Jake will assist ADVAS in supporting victims and witnesses through its Court Support program and will be available to the RCMP for interviews.
Jake’s annual costs, the release stated, will be covered by the Kiwanis Club of Airdrie, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and youth in the community.
“We are so grateful to the Kiwanis Club of Airdrie for making this possible,” Reid said. “We know that Jake will be a valuable addition to ADVAS, and to the Airdrie community as a whole.”
Jake will live with an ADVAS member, and will be available as needed, to support victims when they are most vulnerable.
