Calgary victim assistance dog, Hawk, retires from duty
Hawk, the first-ever victim assistance dog in Calgary — and in Canada — hung up his collar and turned in his badge to start a new life of retirement on Friday.
A ceremony was held at the Calgary Police Service headquarters to honour his eight-year career, which began in 2013 after he was raised and trained by the Pacific Assistance Dogs Society (PADS), in Burnaby, B.C.
"Over the course of his career, Hawk was a valuable resource to many of our community partners who work with both children and adults," police said in a release.
"He supported victims through the Calgary Sexual Assault Response Team, Alberta Children's Hospital, the Calgary Child Advocacy Centre, Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse, and both local school boards."
Hawk was also an integral part of the Calgary police family.
"He supported victims as they told their story to the media at police headquarters, supported many of our youth programs and even attended difficult debriefings with our own members after traumatic events," read the release.
"However, one of the greatest achievements of Hawk's career remains the successful application put forward by the Crown Prosecution Service, in partnership with us, to have courts recognize victim assistance dogs as an allowable support during witness and victim testimony.
Hawk was the first victim support dog in Canada to be legally recognized, setting a precedent for courtrooms across the country.
"Hawk has had an exceptional career, but what we are celebrating today is really more than just what he contributed," said CPS Supt. Asif Rashid.
The Calgary Humane Society also presented the pooch with a medal.
"We are honored to be a part of Hawk's retirement. He certainly fits the bill as an animal hero and is only the third recipient of this distinction since it was developed in 2013," said Brad Nichols, director of operations.
"For the countless victims of crime whom Hawk has facilitated journeys through the justice system, we congratulate this incredible dog on his accomplishments and retirement."
Hawk is being replaced by two new dogs, Calibri and Webber. He was adopted by his last handler and will now live as a family pet.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Chants of 'shame on you' greet guests arriving for the annual White House correspondents' dinner
An election-year roast of U.S. President Joe Biden before journalists, celebrities and politicians at the annual White House correspondents' dinner Saturday.
What is a 'halal mortgage'? Does it make housing more accessible?
The 2024 federal budget announced on April 16 included plans to introduce “halal mortgages” as a way to increase access to home ownership.
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Harvey Weinstein hospitalized after return to New York from upstate prison
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer said Saturday that the onetime movie mogul has been hospitalized for a battery of tests after his return to New York City following an appeals court ruling nullifying his 2020 rape conviction.
'We are declaring our readiness': No decision made yet as Poland declares it's ready to host nuclear weapons
Polish President Andrzej Duda says while no decision has been made around whether Poland will host nuclear weapons as part of an expansion of the NATO alliance’s nuclear sharing program, his country is willing and prepared to do so.
Central Alberta queer groups react to request from Red Deer-South to reinstate Jennifer Johnson to UCP caucus
A number of LGBQT+2s groups in Central Alberta are pushing back against a request from the Red Deer South UCP constituency to reinstate MLA Jennifer Johnson into the UCP caucus.