The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) is welcoming its first Operational Stress Intervention Canine (OSID): Blaise.
“Whether or not it’s a tough name throughout a troublesome day, or the necessity for a chilled presence, Blaise will likely be accessible to all of our employees — sworn and civilian,” EPS’ interim police chief Warren Driechel mentioned.
Blaise is a black lab who is sort of three years outdated.
“In contrast to our different service canine who’re educated to catch criminals, Blaise focuses on offering emotional assist, stress reduction and just a bit further consolation to our staff who want it,” Driechel mentioned.
Blaise is purpose-bred and was educated by the non-profit group BC & Alberta Information Canine for greater than two years.

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“Blaise was chosen for particular temperament to have the ability to work every day in a busy surroundings,” mentioned Mike Annan, director of service canine with BC & Alberta Information Canine.
“Blaise has an affinity to be round plenty of folks.”
EPS is the primary policing group in Alberta to get an OSID due to Wounded Warriors Canada.
“We’ve positioned Operational Stress Intervention Canine with different police providers throughout the nation, and right here in Western Canada, principally in British Columbia,” mentioned Philip Ralph, director of well being providers with Wounded Warriors Canada.
“Going again six months later, after the position, and seeing the influence that they’ve on the service with the members, is simply superb.”
Const. David Klein is certainly one of Blaise’s three handlers. The previous couple of weeks have been spent coaching with the canine.
“It’s been actually superb during the last two weeks that we’ve had him right here, … the consequences he’s had on our membership,” Klein mentioned.
Inside EPS, Blaise will likely be there for members who’ve had a tough day and in addition assist with reintegration.
“I work principally with members coming again to work, and I’ll use him the place members have plenty of anxiousness about coming again,” Klein mentioned.
“How I’ve seen him simply break the ice with members coming in has been unreal. So he actually helps loosen up everyone.”
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