The newest member of two south Okanagan RCMP detachments is just three years old and has four legs.
The victim services dog, Calypso, was introduced to media in Penticton on Thursday morning and RCMP said she’s a very welcome member of the team.
“I think that every morning when we walk around and she has her bone in her mouth and she says good morning to everybody that people appreciate her,” Calypso’s handler, Dede Dacyk said.
The Golden Lab Retriever was welcomed as a member of the Penticton and Summerland RCMP detachments in mid July.
Since then, she’s already helped enhance the work of the victim services unit, which consists of two paid staff, five volunteers and Calypso.
Her job is to be a calming influence for anyone who has experienced trauma, including at the hospital and the courtroom.
“Calypso did a circle around me and she laid down on my victim’s feet,” Dacyk said
“My victim was crying and was just bent over petting Calypso during the whole sentencing.”
Calypso is the third intervention canine in B.C., the other two are with the Delta and Vancouver police departments, but Calypso is the first victim services dog to join the ranks of the B.C. RCMP.
Calypso was bred by the Pacific Assistance Dogs (PADS) program.
“These dogs are the most difficult to come by because they have to wear many hats,” PADS exeuctive director Laura Watamanuk said.
“They have to be happy, joyful dogs, they have to be the dog that senses when someone needs them and they have to be the best behaved dog when sitting the stand.”
There are 18 intervention canines in Canada, 10 of which were placed by PADS.
The RCMP said already its newest member has proven to be an important addition to the work victim services provides.
And all she needs in return are treats and hugs.
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