Trauma Dog Joins Calgary Police Service

A new Hawk has joined the ranks of the Calgary Police Service, only this time it’s not a helicopter.

Hawk, a three-year-old black Labrador Retriever, has joined the Service as a Trauma Dog, whose duties include assisting the Victim Assistance Unit in support of witnesses and victims of crime and trauma, especially those who are young.

His comforting presence makes him an excellent support to those who have witnessed, or experienced, traumatic incidents. Since joining the Service in October, Hawk has already provided support to victims of various ages, including high-risk youth, helping to calm and encourage them to open up to investigators.

Hawk was raised, trained and provided to CPS by the Pacific Assistance Dog Society (PADS). He is the third trauma dog of his kind in Canada, two others work with the Delta Police Department and Camrose Police Service.

PADS is a non-profit organization which raises, trains and provides assistance dogs for people living with disabilities across Western Canada. PADS Canine Assistance Intervention Program (CAI Dogs) work with professional handlers in therapeutic and educational capacities in a variety of settings including children’s hospitals and hospices, educational facilities, seniors homes and victims services. PADS has provided these exceptional dogs for over 26 years.

PADS Calgary was launched in 1999, and today local staff oversee a volunteer puppy raising and training program, which currently has 21 puppies in various stages of training in Calgary.

Media Contact Information:

Laura Watamanuk
Executive Director
Pacific Assistance Dog Society (PADS)
laura@pads.ca
604-813-1725

PADS Calgary – 403-233-7237
www.pads.ca
facebook.com/PADSfb
twitter.com/PADSdogs