Giving a paw up for trauma victims

Service dogs in Lethbridge have given a paw up to those who are dealing with trauma in our city.

Lethbridge Police Victim Services dog Kourt is celebrating her fourth birthday today and one year anniversary with the unit.

The four-legged-friend provides support for employees within the Lethbridge Police Service who have dealt with traumatic events along with people in our community.

Catherine Pooley, the program manager for the Victim and Witness Services Unit, told us how many victims and employees Kourt has assisted.

“We’ve seen about 700 hours of internal support and about 350 victims have used her since she got here last year in different capacities. So she’s had the opportunity to work with a wide variety of different people. And just being here, that’s sort of the motto of VSU, is be there. And so just having her available to be here when people need her has been amazing.”

Kourt has received extensive training through the Dogs with Wings Assistance Dog Society in Alberta.