OPERATIONAL STRESS INTERVENTION DOG SADIE JOINS CALGARY POLICE SERVICE
Wounded Warriors Canada is proud to announce the pairing of a new Operational Stress Intervention Dog with the Calgary Police Service (CPS). OSID Sadie was made possible thanks to funding from Wounded Warriors Canada, which supports the training provided by BC & Alberta Guide Dogs. Wounded Warriors Canada’s funding of Sadie was made possible thanks to the support of the Calgary-based Pulling Together for Mental Health annual fundraising event.
“The health and well-being of all CPS members, both sworn and civilian, is essential to the work we do every day,” says Chief Katie McLellan of the Calgary Police Service. “Our first Operational Stress Intervention Dog represents a step forward in helping our members navigate the emotional demands of policing. This meaningful partnership with Wounded Warriors Canada, the B.C. and Alberta Guide Dogs, as well as Pulling Together for Mental Health, reinforces our commitment to creating a resilient, healthy workplace. When we take care of the people who serve the city, they’re better equipped to take care of the community.”
“Police officers are required to respond to critical and potentially traumatic incidents on a daily basis,” said Scott Maxwell, CEO Wounded Warriors Canada. “We know that repeated exposure to traumatic incidents can have long-lasting impacts on the members and, by extension, the organization itself. We also know the importance of being proactive and getting in front of these situations to help members feel safe, supported and understood. That’s a big part of the role Sadie will play with the Calgary Police Service. We’re extremely grateful to the Pulling Together team for their support, which has made this pairing possible.”
“Sadie exists because a community pulled together,” said Jade Wong and Rory Thompson, Co-Founders, Pulling Together for Mental Health. “She represents the support of people who believe in the importance of Veteran and First Responder mental health, and we know she will have a lasting impact within the Calgary Police Service. This is why Pulling Together exists.”
Sadie’s role will be to provide support for all sworn and civilian employees of the organization. She has a gentle disposition and is trained to recognize signs of agitation to interrupt the process by providing a calming demeanor.
“Operational Stress Intervention Dogs (OSID) from BC & Alberta Guide Dogs are professional working dogs that assist Trauma Exposed Professionals in a workplace environment to achieve therapeutic goals through specifically trained activities, and tasked behaviours, accompanied by a highly specialized temperament,” said Mike Annan, Director of Service Dogs with BC & Alberta Guide Dogs. “These highly trained intervention dogs are specially bred and selected for stress modulation and the capacity to absorb or redirect tension without being overwhelmed. Together, these specialized activities and capacities facilitate the dogs’ ability to work with many different people. This is done by way of assisting in achieving a wide variety of therapeutic goals as the OSID has been specifically bred, raised and trained by BC & Alberta Guide Dogs and our Certified Professional Service Dog Instructors in partnership with Wounded Warriors Canada to work with and support the Calgary Police Service and their employee well-being.”