A PG RCMP Victim Services dog is climbing the ranks after working his first supreme court trial earlier this month.
Victim Services Coordinator Krista Levar says since the Victim Services Therapy Dog Program was introduced two years ago, Max usually works with young witnesses and victims in a pre-trial setting.
“We have a soft interview room where we can bring Max in so the child can have an opportunity to meet Max and sit with him while doing an interview with Police. They can colour pictures with him, it just makes things a little less frightening for kids.”
He’s had immediate impact, but Max is still a rookie, seeing as he had his first case, assisting a young child victim who was testifying via CCTV earlier this year.
Once word was received that Max would be accompanying a nine-year-old witness to an assault, RCMP Victim Services turned to Kirby MacInnes, owner of the therapy dog agency Pawsitive Horizons to ramp up his training.
When the time came to accompany the young girl to the trial, things went swimmingly.
During the long waiting process between court sessions, the girl drew pictures of Max, made him do tricks, dressed him up in a shower cap, and even gave him a new name tag Chef Prince Max.
Levar also acts as Max’s handler, and has studied therapy animals extensively.
She recalls being floored by the results when her research began…
“I think I had a really good idea in my head of what it would look like, but when I’ve actually seen it in action, it’s amazing what a difference he makes… Just making people feel instantly comfortable. What would take me five weeks of working with a client to make a connection, Max can make in five seconds.”
He’s become a popular face in the office, often resting up in a bed beneath Levar’s desk after a long day of work.
But like the rest of us, that work can take a toll after a ‘ruff’ day.
“Dogs, just like humans, experience stress and trauma. When Max has a stressful day, I can see it on him. He starts licking his paws more than usual, He gets tired and doesn’t want to come out to deal with clients when he’s been busy all day. He’ll just sit in his bed and look at you like ‘I’ve had enough and just need to lay here for a bit, please don’t make me see anyone else!” I just try to give him a break basically, making sure I take him for walks to take care of his mental health as well as mine. Everyone loves him here too, so he enjoys coming to work.”
Max and On-scene specialist Grimmus make up the PG Therapy Dog K-9 Crisis unit.
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