New facility dog is a pawfect addition to Victim/Witness Services team
The Lethbridge Police Service is excited to welcome Kourt, the newest and only four-legged member of the Victim/Witness Services Unit.
Kourt, a two-year-old female Golden Retriever/Lab cross, has been trained as a facility dog and will provide comfort and support in the community to victims – especially young children. In-house Kourt will support the mental health and well-being of LPS staff exposed to traumatic events during the course of their duties.
“We are incredibly grateful to Dogs With Wings and their many volunteers who contributed to training and caring for Kourt. She is the perfect addition to our unit,” said Catherine Pooley, Victim Witness Services Manager. “We are excited to share that a key part of Kourt’s role, one that is unique to our program, will be supporting police staff in alignment with the philosophy that you can’t pour from an empty cup. We know to best support victims it is critical we have a heathy team-both sworn and civilian.”
Kourt will begin her new role March 28 and is the first facility dog in LPS and VWSU history. She has received extensive training through the Lions Foundation of Canada in Ontario and Dogs with Wings in Alberta, both accredited by Assistance Dogs International to provide a variety of service, facility and companion dogs. Unlike traditional assistance or companion dogs that serve one person, facility dogs are trained to work with a handler to serve numerous people.
“Dogs with Wings is proud to place Kourt with the Lethbridge Police Service, knowing Kourt will be of service to individuals, the legal system, and the community at large”, said Miranda JordanSmith, CEO of Dogs with Wings. “We commend the Lethbridge Police Service for adding a facility dog to their force, recognizing the value and vital support Kourt will bring.”
Kourt is currently completing the final stage of training with her new VWSU handlers before she graduates from the Dogs with Wings program this weekend.
Pooley, and a second VWSU member, Vicky Snider, are Kourt’s co-handlers. During the day Kourt will work alongside Pooley at the police station supporting victims and LPS staff. After hours, she’ll go home with Snider to decompress and spend time in a family setting.
Before beginning her official support duties, Kourt’s first two weeks on the job will be spent getting to know all her new team members.
MEDIA AVAILABILITY: Media are invited to meet Kourt during her first day on Monday, March 28, 2022 at 1:30 p.m. at the police station. Victim Services Manager Catherine Pooley will be available for media interviews at that time. This will be the only opportunity for on-camera interviews.