Two superb boys have been added to the Zebra Youngster and Youth Advocacy Centre’s facility canine program.
Moose and Zeppelin joined the crew two months in the past — every is a lab/golden retriever combine.
“They both have been training to be facility dogs since birth, and they both recently turned two years old,” mentioned Emmy Stuebing, CEO of the Zebra Centre.
“They’ve simply been beginning with meet and greets, and that’s been going very well.
“These guys were born to do this. They really are a great comfort.”
Facility canines Zeppelin and Moose on the Zebra Centre. Nicole Stillger / World Information
Zeppelin got here from Edmonton-based Canine With Wings and Moose was educated with Ontario-based Lions Basis. They be part of six-year-old black lab, Captain — who has been on the Zebra Centre for 4 years.
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Their job is to offer consolation and assist to children who come there after experiencing abuse.
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“Sometimes when kiddos come to the Zebra Center, they don’t really want to talk to anybody about what happened to them, but sometimes they’ll talk to a dog,” Stuebing mentioned.
Not each little one will need one, however for a lot of, simply having the service canine there provides them braveness.
“They’re non-judgmental and that instant feeling of security that they bring definitely helps ease the kids when they’re here,” Stephanie Franks mentioned, Youngster and Youth Helps director on the Zebra Centre.
Facility canines Moose, Captain and Zeppelin on the Zebra Centre. Nicole Stillger / World Information
The hope is for Moose and Zeppelin to ultimately go to court docket as properly — like Captain — but it surely’s a job that requires loads of endurance on the canine’s half and may put on them out sooner.
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“We want to make sure that they’re being rotated, but it does take some time, as we want to make sure that they’re able to do this for long periods of time,” Franks mentioned.
For the reason that program launched in 2013 it’s been known as VIP – Very Vital Paws.
As the brand new pups had been welcomed to the herd Thursday, the Zebra Centre additionally introduced it’s renaming the ability canine program to The Buddy Canine program.
It’s in honour of one of many centre’s greatest supporters — Buddy Victor — who handed away in 2023 at 92 years previous.
For now, the pups are settling into their new jobs.
“They have good sense of humour in a way that they just are a bunch of jokesters, but they know when to be sensitive,” Frank mentioned.
“When their vest goes on, it’s time to work.”
“They’re both looking really promising everyone’s so excited to have these guys,” Stuebing added.
0:57Wren, assist canine with Zebra Youngster Safety Centre, retiring
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