Wounded Warriors Canada, National Service Dogs, Pair Peer Support Dog with Ottawa Police Service

Cindy, a graduate of National Service Dogs’ Canine Assisted Intervention Program, has been donated to OPS thanks to funding provided by Wounded Warriors Canada as part of their ongoing efforts to support First Responders in the aftermath of critical incidents and to minimize occupational stress injuries. Trained to respond to stress and anxiety, Cindy will support OPS staff during critical incident debriefings and work with her handlers daily as part of OPS’ Member Support Program and mental health initiatives across the Police Service. “It’s amazing to watch her when she meets our officers and civilian members,” said Cindy’s handler Acting Inspector Isabelle Lemieux. “She’s so excited to meet new people, and she’s a great conversation starter about wellness and her role with our Service.”

Cindy is the second National Service Dog to join the OPS team, and joins her colleague NSD West who has worked as part of the OPS’ Victim Crisis Unit since 2018 to assist victims of crime, survivors of sexual offences, and witnesses of trauma during interviews in a trauma-informed manner.

“Police officers are required to respond to critical and potentially traumatic incidents on a daily basis. 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 NSD Cindy will play with the Ottawa Police Service and we’re extremely proud to help make this pairing possible.” Scott Maxwell, Executive Director, Wounded Warriors Canada

“We understand the value of having Cindy on our team,” said Deputy Chief Paul Burnett. “The work we do as police professionals is so emotionally and physically taxing on our bodies, and studies have shown that the simple act of petting a dog can raise levels of serotonin and dopamine in our brains and help make us feel both happier and calmer.”

“National Service Dogs is proud to expand our partnership with OPS.  The deployment of NSD Cindy, gives the OPS Member Support Program a unique and highly effective tool for addressing mental health and reducing the risk of operational stress injuries for their members.” – Danielle Forbes, Executive Director, National Service Dogs