Beloved Nipissing trauma support dog Chewie hangs up his vest

After eight years on the job, bringing comfort and support to victims of crime and emergency responders, Chewie has earned himself more than a few treats and a long-overdue break.

Chewie, the beloved 10-year-old yellow Lab, is retiring from his role with Victim Services of Nipissing District.

“He was very excited. He recognizes everybody here,” said Chewie’s handler and trainer, Gillian MacIntosh.

The red carpet was rolled out Thursday for Chewie, who was joined by members of the North Bay Police Service. Officials marched from the police station to the YMCA, where he hung up his vest and officially retired.

“Chewie has been a wonderful work partner. It’s wonderful going to work with him and just seeing what a positive difference he makes in other people’s lives,” said an emotional MacIntosh.

Chewie was originally trained in the U.S. to be a bomb sniffing dog. But when that didn’t pan out, he found his true calling: trauma support.

“Those who work in this field, who experience this amount of trauma day in and day out, absolutely need support,” said Kathleen Jodouin, Victim Services of Nipissing District’s executive director.

So, when he was two years old, he donned the vest happily, tail wagging, joining Victim Services full of energy and ready to put his nose to the grindstone.

“He is absolutely proud of the job he does and likes to show folks how well he can do,” Jodouin said.

“He has incredible skills to help de-escalate, provide support and have people feel seen.”

Much of his work took place quietly and privately.

Over the years, he sat with thousands of crime victims, children and first responders during some of their most difficult moments, supporting them during interviews, crisis response or outreach support.

“He carried out that mission flawlessly,” said acting deputy police Chief Jeff Warner.

“In exchange for nothing more than a gentle scratch behind the ears.”

One of the places Chewie would visit once a week was the Nipissing Transition House, where he would see women and children who were fleeing violence.

“When you’re with a counsellor, you probably have to do a little bit of talking about your situation and what’s happening and how you feel, and with Chewie it was just him allowing us to be grounded and mindful,” said Charlene Gravelle, the organization’s acting executive director.

Chewie’s legacy will continue through the ongoing trauma support dog program. The next dog in training is preparing to follow in his paw prints.

Victim Services said finding the right match ensures both the dog’s well-being and success in their duties.

“In the next few days, we’ll announce his successor coming from the Canadian Lions Club for Guide Dogs,” Jodouin said.

“So, it’s a really exciting new partnership for us.”

What’s next for Chewie in retirement? Well, he’ll be living with MacIntosh and her husband, Const. Doug MacIntosh, where they plan to shower him with love.

“Lots of pets, lots of treats and lots of walks. Everything that Chewie enjoys,” MacIntosh said.

A well-earned retirement for one understanding and caring pup.