Tianna Graham (right), manager of the Pet Valu south location with Link II and his handler Baylee Schmidt, supervisor of the Chinook Child and Youth Advocacy Centre.
A new four-legged team member is helping the Chinook Sexual Assault Centre provide enhanced care to its clients.
Link II is the first accredited facility dog to report for duty at the centre, where he will help provide emotional support and a sense of security for clients accessing our services.
“A facility dog is just one more way we can help kids who are really struggling to connect with the supports that they need,” said Baylee Schmidt, supervisor at the Child and Youth Advocacy Centre, who has received special training as Link II’s handler.
Link II will work primarily at the Chinook Child and Youth Advocacy Centre, a program of the Chinook Sexual Assault Centre, as part of a team helping children, youth and families deal with the traumatic effects of abuse.
Link II comes to the Chinook Sexual Assault Centre from the Pacific Assistance Dogs Society, a society which breeds and trains fully accredited facility dogs to support community professionals and promote healthy communities.
Schmidt said the centre applied for a facility dog more than three years ago and only learned this February that a dog was available.
Both Link II and Schmidt have gone through extensive training to prepare for their role.
“It is a very thorough process,” explained Schmidt, who received both on-line and in-person training from PADS in areas such as dog psychology, obedience, care and grooming and commands. “I think Link II will be such a valuable resource for the centre, allowing us to connect with those we serve and provide holistic and compassionate care.”
Accredited facility dogs like Link II are specially trained to provide comfort and help create a sense of safety and ease during what can be extremely difficult moments.
In addition to the ongoing support it receives from PADS, the support dog program at the centre will also be sustained by contributions from Bobbi Davis Remington and Tammie Belanger, co-owners of the west-side and south-side Pet Valu locations in Lethbridge.
Pet Valu has already outfitted Link II with all the equipment he needs to get started and will provide ongoing essentials such as food, supplies and veterinary care.
