Jake the facility service dog receives Community Justice Award
An Airdrie court trauma dog named Jake is being acknowledged for the important role he plays in comforting children, youth and adults who testify in court.
Jake has won Alberta’s Community Justice Award for innovation in 2021, an award given to individuals who have worked toward improving safety in their community.
Jake’s job is to help support vulnerable witnesses when it’s hard for them to speak. Jake has been working for two years now, and has assisted close to 100 people in court files.
“When witnesses come in to speak to our RCMP members, the dog can be in there just to make them feel less alone,” says Debbie Reid, a trauma dog handler and victim service provider. Jake is also a member of Reid’s family.
“He's two dogs. When he's working, he's the most calm, gentle dog that you could imagine. And then at home, he's just our pet. So, he likes to steal lettuce out of our vegetable garden.”
Jake is a 5-year-old purebred, black Labrador who joined the RCMP in 2019.
“He goes up on the witness stand with the person testifying. You see them reach down, and they'll pet him. So, he basically goes in as a testimonial aid.”
Jake was nominated by Airdrie RCMP and Mayor Peter Brown. The award acknowledges the extraordinary support Jake brings to the community.
Jake’s a very special dog, indeed. As a facility dog, Jake helps out most when he’s calm and relaxed. Because of this, Jake’s training is much different than other service or emotional support dogs.
“Calgary police [and] Edmonton police have facility dogs like this, but they're still very rare. I'd like to see more of them,” said Reid.
Reid hopes Jake can keep working for the next 5 years, supporting people in court when they need it.
The Airdrie RCMP hope Jake’s recognition brings awareness to the help dogs like this can provide.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.