A Saskatoon family is mourning the loss of an autism service animal as the Saskatoon SPCA investigates the deaths of 14 dogs at Playful Paws Pet Center.
Arden the chocolate lab was “the missing puzzle piece that really completed our family,” according to owner Ailish Irwin.
Her son, six-year-old Easton, was “devastated” when he learned his friend was one of the 14 dogs found dead in the Sutherland-area boarding facility. An employee told Global News it was 37 degrees Celsius at the time and a rooftop heating system is said to have malfunctioned.
The Irwin family was away at a wedding in Calgary. Arden typically joined the family on all of their trips.
“She was a very dog-social girl and she loved getting to play with the other dogs. We thought this would be a bit of a fun break for her as well,” Irwin said.
READ MORE: ‘Glaring’ issues previously brought forward to Playful Paws months before 14 dogs die
She learned of the incident on Facebook as she was posting a picture from the wedding. She and her husband called Playful Paws staff who confirmed the death.
“That was really hurtful – that we had to find out through the news,” Irwin said.
The family waited three years and raised $30,000 to bring Arden to Saskatoon from the National Service Dogs organization in Cambridge, Ont.
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The lab helped Easton deal with the social challenges associated with autism. The Irwins have been offered another dog if and when they’re ready.
All of the affected dog owners and members of the public are now invited to a memorial service at Acadia McKague’s Funeral Centre Saturday at 11 a.m. CT.
“For a lot of people, pets really are members of the family and everyone experiences grief in their own way and I think it’s important that we recognize that,” said funeral director Lisa Bos.
READ MORE: 14 dogs die of heat exhaustion in Saskatoon after heater in kennel malfunctions
Meanwhile, the SPCA is investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the dogs.
“It’s a complex case and it could be wrapped up in a short period of time or it could take quite some time,” said SPCA executive director Patricia Cameron.
The investigation could involve a site visit, pictures, forensic evidence from a veterinarian, interviews and other methods, Cameron said.
Ailish Irwin is looking for a formal apology and an acknowledgement of wrongdoing from the pet centre. She also hopes a similar incident never happens again.
“I would hope that the boarding facility is no longer able to care for animals and that a decision is made that this is too big of an incident to allow them to remain open.”
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