The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) is proud to announce its first Operational Stress Intervention Dog (OSID) to support sworn and civilian employees during difficult times.
Through a generous donation and as part of its partnership with Wounded Warriors Canada, EPS is the first policing organization in Alberta to get OSID Blaise, a black Labrador Retriever provided by BC & Alberta Guide Dogs.
A graduation was held on April 14 at Police Headquarters for Blaise and his three handlers, who are all EPS employees. They have spent the last few weeks training with Blaise to guide him through the process of supporting employees through mental health challenges.
“If employees are struggling and need some emotional support, sometimes the gentlest partner makes the biggest difference,” said Donna Munro, Director of Employee and Organizational Wellness at EPS. “Blaise isn’t just a companion – he’s a reminder that strength comes in many forms, including kindness. Mental health is always top of mind at EPS, and we are always looking for opportunities to increase support and provide our employees with tools to take responsibility for their mental health and wellness. I am so proud of our partnership with Wounded Warriors Canada as they made all this possible.”
Blaise’s role will be to provide emotional support for all sworn and civilian employees of the organization. He has a gentle disposition and is trained to recognize signs of agitation to interrupt the process by providing a calming demeanor.
“Operational Stress Intervention Dogs (OSID) from BC & Alberta Guide Dogs are professional working dogs that assist Trauma Exposed Professionals in a workplace environment to achieve therapeutic goals through specifically trained activities, and tasked behaviours, accompanied by a highly specialized temperament,” said Mike Annan, Director of Service Dogs with BC & Alberta Guide Dogs. “These highly trained intervention dogs are specially bred and selected for stress modulation and the capacity to absorb or redirect tension without being overwhelmed.
“Together these specialized activities and capacities facilitate the dogs’ ability to work with many different people. This is done by way of assisting in achieving a wide variety of therapeutic goals as the OSID has been specifically bred, raised and trained by BC & Alberta Guide Dogs and our Certified Professional Service Dog Instructors in partnership with Wounded Warriors Canada to work with and support the Edmonton Police Service and their employee well-being.”
EPS has partnered with Wounded Warriors since 2023 to provide mental health support services to all EPS’ active and retired professionals. The addition of OSID Blaise is another resource in the toolbox for employees to utilize whenever they need.
“Police officers are required to respond to critical and potentially traumatic incidents on a daily basis,” said Scott Maxwell, CEO Wounded Warriors Canada. “We know that repeated exposure to traumatic incidents can have long-lasting impacts on the members and, by extension, the organization itself. We also know the importance of being proactive and getting in front of these situations to help members feel safe, supported and understood. That’s a big part of the role Blaise will play with the Edmonton Police Service and we’re extremely proud to help make this pairing possible.”