Edmonton police unveil first dog aimed to help employees through mental health challenges

The Edmonton Police Service now has an Operational Stress Intervention Dog (OSID) within its force.

EPS announced on Monday that Blaise — a black Labrador Retriever — will be taking on the job of supporting employees within the service who are going through mental health challenges.

“If employees are struggling and need some emotional support, sometimes the gentlest partner makes the biggest difference,” said Donna Munro, Director of Employee and Organizational Wellness at EPS.

“Blaise isn’t just a companion – he’s a reminder that strength comes in many forms, including kindness. Mental health is always top of mind at EPS, and we are always looking for opportunities to increase support and provide our employees with tools to take responsibility for their mental health and wellness. I am so proud of our partnership with Wounded Warriors Canada as they made all this possible.”

Blaise got the job with the Edmonton Police Service after being a member of BC & Alberta Guide Dogs.

He was also trained by his three handlers to recognize signs of agitation and to interrupt the process by providing a calming demeanor.

“Operational Stress Intervention Dogs (OSID) from BC & Alberta Guide Dogs are professional working dogs that assist Trauma Exposed Professionals in a workplace environment to achieve therapeutic goals through specifically trained activities, and tasked behaviours, accompanied by a highly specialized temperament,” said Mike Annan, Director of Service Dogs with BC & Alberta Guide Dogs.

“These highly trained intervention dogs are specially bred and selected for stress modulation and the capacity to absorb or redirect tension without being overwhelmed.

The announcement of the new role also comes from a partnership between EPS and Wounded Warriors Canada that has been in place since 2023, which aims to provide mental health supports to all active and retired members of the police service.

“Police officers are required to respond to critical and potentially traumatic incidents on a daily basis,” said Scott Maxwell, CEO of Wounded Warriors Canada. “We know that repeated exposure to traumatic incidents can have long-lasting impacts on the members and, by extension, the organization itself.

“We also know the importance of being proactive and getting in front of these situations to help members feel safe, supported, and understood. That’s a big part of the role Blaise will play with the Edmonton Police Service, and we’re extremely proud to help make this pairing possible.”