You may notice a dog at North Bay Police headquarters.

His name is Chewie.

The K-9 is working with Victim Services of Nipissing District and city police to support people who have been through a traumatic experience.

The dog will be staying with city police Constable Doug McIntosh and his wife when not at work.

McIntosh told BayToday getting support from a dog can only be positive experience for someone.

“A dog can only be a positive development. A dog does not judge. A dog transcends any kind of cultural or socioeconomic barrier. If you look at him he’s a sweet 2 year old Golden Lab and people will only feel good things and comfort from him,” he says.

Deputy Chief Scott Tod told BayToday having a dog nearby when you’re been through a traumatic situation can make a world of difference.

“In trauma support we’re finding the value of pets, the value of having an animal around people who have suffered from trauma or people that are in situations that they become challenged from doing the normal things in life,” Tod says.

Caroline Couchie,the executive director of Victim Services for the Nipissing District says those first responders who deal with traumatic situations can benefit from having Chewy around as well.

“With all the attention paid to post traumatic distress in emergency responders as well as victim services providers this will hopefully mitigate psychological injuries,” Couchie says.

For now the K-9 will be at police headquarters but there are plans to have Chewie at the North Bay courthouse and the Nipissing Transition House.

Chewie comes form the Citadel Service Dog program in B.C. and before that was in Missouri.

(photo courtesy Chris Dawson BayToday)

Filed under: chewie, k-9, victim-services-of-nipissing