The Regina Police Service would like to welcome the newest furry member to the Service: Merlot. Merlot is a two and a half year-old female black Labrador Retriever who is a highly trained Canine Assisted Intervention (CAI) Trauma Dog. Merlot has recently completed her two-year training with the Pacific Assistance Dog Society (PADS) in Burnaby, British Columbia.
This brand new team is just learning how it can assist the various sections of the Police Service and the community. Initially, Merlot will be helping her partner, Cpl. Tia Froh, in interviews with child victims of abuse, but that work may extend to helping victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, robbery and many other traumatizing circumstances, providing support and reducing anxiety. Merlot and Cpl. Froh will be deployed throughout many of Regina Police Service’s works areas including Victim Services, School Resource Officer Program, Cultural & Community Diversity Program, Family Services, Major Crimes and Patrol. They are based out of the Regina Children’s Justice Centre (RCJC).
There was a press conference today at the Regina Police Service headquarters building so that members of the media could meet Merlot and her handler, as well Beaumont & Tara Busch from Southeast Saskatchewan Victim Services and Kane & Donna Blondeau from Moose Jaw Police Service Victim Services.
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