Calgary police enlist four-legged support with arrival of stress intervention dog

As Calgary police officers face increasingly traumatic calls, a specially trained dog named Sadie is now providing them with support.

The Calgary Police Service is welcoming a new four-legged colleague who will be helping officers and civilian staff cope with the emotional toll of the job.

Sadie, a black Labrador retriever, is the service’s first Operational Stress Intervention Dog — a milestone that CPS says marks a growing focus on mental health, resilience and early support for members regularly exposed to trauma.

The dog will work alongside CPS wellness staff as part of the service’s peer support program, offering comfort during debriefings, wellness appointments and training sessions, while also providing day-to-day emotional support for members experiencing operational stress.

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Operational Stress Intervention Dogs are specially trained to help reduce physical symptoms of stress, promote emotional grounding and provide a calming presence during high-pressure situations.

Sadie’s arrival was made possible through a donation from Wounded Warriors Canada, a national mental health service provider specializing in trauma-informed programming for uniformed service members and their families.

That funding was supported by Calgary-based Pulling Together for Mental Health, an annual fundraising initiative focused on first responder and veteran mental health.

“The health and well-being of all CPS members, both sworn and civilian, is essential to the work we do every day,” said Chief Katie McLellan said in a statement to CTV News.

“Our first Operational Stress Intervention Dog represents a step forward in helping our members navigate the emotional demands of policing.

“When we take care of the people who serve the city, they’re better equipped to take care of the community.”

Wounded Warriors Canada CEO Scott Maxwell added that police officers face critical and potentially traumatic incidents daily, and repeated exposure can have lasting impacts on individuals and organizations alike.

“We also know the importance of being proactive and getting in front of these situations to help members feel safe, supported and understood,” Maxwell said.

“That’s a big part of the role Sadie will play with the Calgary Police Service.”

Sadie will support both sworn officers and civilian staff, participating in wellness programming and training, while also being available for peer support activities and debriefings following difficult calls.

Her daily deployment will be overseen by CPS’s wellness and resiliency division, with a dedicated handler trained specifically in occupational stress support.

Pulling Together for Mental Health co-founders Jade Wong and Rory Thompson say Sadie’s presence reflects a broader community effort.

“Sadie exists because a community pulled together,” they said in a joint statement.

“She represents the support of people who believe in the importance of veteran and first responder mental health, and we know she will have a lasting impact within the Calgary Police Service.”

Sadie was trained by B.C. and Alberta Guide Dogs, whose service dog program focuses on supporting trauma-exposed professionals in workplace environments.

Mike Annan, director of service dogs with B.C. and Alberta Guide Dogs, noted that Operational Stress Intervention Dogs are also specially bred for stress modulation and the capacity to absorb or redirect tension without being overwhelmed

“[They 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,” Annan said.