Victim Services
| | |  Trauma K9 | |
Trauma K9
 On July 26, 2010, Delta Police Victim Services introduced a Trauma K9 to its ranks. Caber is a two-year-old yellow Labrador retriever, generously provided to the program by the Pacific Assistance Dogs Society (PADS).
PADS bred and trained Caber who is a Canine Assisted Intervention trained "therapy" dog. PADS retains ownership of all dogs they place in therapy and service capacities until the dog's "retirement". Retaining ownership of the dog is important so the dog can be taken back if it is ever misused or abused and this also keeps the dog handlers and PADS staff well connected with each other for support and assistance. When the dogs officially retire as working dogs the handler gets the first option to adopt the dog.
Caber is the first Trauma K9 in a Victim Services setting in Canada. He is an extremely calm and docile dog, very endearing and affectionate. Caber, and other "therapy" dogs, can have a calming and comforting effect on people. Therapy dogs are often utilized in institutional settings such as hospitals, seniors and hospice facilities and have been successful in that work for years.
Caber began his official training at just 8 weeks of age in the Puppy Education Program at PADS. From there he ventured out in the world to live with his puppy raiser (in Calgary) until his return to PADS for advanced training. Caber remained at PADS until just after his second birthday when he was selected to join Delta Police Victim Services. In determining if Caber was right for Victim Services, PADS training staff brought him to the police department to expose him to the chaos of police cars, lights and loud sirens. With a loud siren and revving engine beside him, Caber did little more than tilt his head to the side. He traversed through the police building and was calm and comfortable with everyone and in every setting. PADS staff even exposed Caber to loud crying and intense emotion to determine if he responded favourably to the work of Victim Services. Caber was comfortable with every test he was given.
Caber, like all PADS dogs, began his training with the possibility of becoming a service dog for a person with a disability. The PADS training staff felt that Caber's calm demeanour was better suited for therapy work and redirected him down that path. Caber responds to approximately 25 commands and his handler is "clicker training" him on fun new commands all the time.
There are three Victim Services staff who are now fully trained to be Caber's handlers. Kim Gramlich is the Program Coordinator. Caber lives with Kim and her husband; she is Caber's primary handler and "Mom". Cynthia Vallance, Assistant Coordinator and Jill Colley, Family Violence Intervention Worker are also trained to deploy Caber. The handlers took a week of training to learn a variety of topics including canine psychology, canine health and grooming, public etiquette, command structure, and corrections. The PADS training was excellent and fully prepared them to deploy Caber safely and effectively.
The completion of team training was the start of a 45 day assessment period to determine if Caber was adapting to his new home and workplace and to determine if the handlers were managing effectively as well. During Caber's first 45 days he was deployed to support victims/witnesses and family in a number of recent and historical circumstances, including sudden deaths, suicides, a fatal motor vehicle crash, house and apartment fires. Caber proved to be highly effective with these victims; on two occasions clients commented that "Caber is exactly what I needed".
Caber and his handlers successfully completed their assessment in late September and graduated on September 26 at a ceremony, hosted by PADS, in Burnaby.
Since graduating, Caber has proven himself in response to the homicide of 15-year-old Laura Szendrei in North Delta. Caber and his handler responded to Laura's school to support friends, students, teachers, parents, etc. Caber had a remarkable impact on many people at the school. On several occasions the mere sight of Caber elicited significant emotion and tears. Caber was also asked to attend each of Laura's classes on the first full day back in school. Several times throughout the day Caber could be seen surrounded by up to 10 youth, petting and playing with him on the floor.
The impact of Caber's empathy for Delta's victims of crime and trauma has proven to be exceptional. Caber's handlers look forward to deploying him in many other situations to determine how else he can positively influence the lives of our citizens. This we know for certain, dogs aren't judgmental, they don't see your religion, race, age, sexual orientation, etc. They are unbiased and unconditional in their affection. Caber brings out the best in all of us.
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