Delta PD K9 Trauma Unit a Success

On November 20 our speaker was Caber from the Delta Police Victim Services Trauma K9 unit. Caber is a three-year-old yellow Labrador retriever, generously provided to the program by the Pacific Assistance Dogs Society (PADS). He brought Kim Gramlich from the Victim Services unit with him.

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, 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.

Kim Gramlich is the Program Coordinator. Caber lives with Kim; she is Caber's primary handler.

Caber has been 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 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 and parents. 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.