Court Support Worker for Victims Services Suzanne Couturier with Argo at the Red Deer RCMP detachment on Thursday. (rdnewsNOW/Alessia Proietti)

By Alessia Proietti

comfort only a dog can bring

Red Deer Victim Services welcomes service dog Argo to the team

Jan 19, 2024 | 3:33 PM

There’s a new dog in town: Red Deer Victim Services has a new partner to help assist victims through difficult stages of the criminal justice system.

On Thursday, the City and Red Deer RCMP welcomed Argo, a two-year-old Labrador golden mix, at their detachment (4602 51 Ave.). Inspector Brock Linaker joked that the gathering was for Argo’s official swearing in ceremony to the team.

Constable Grace Jeanveau explained that Argo assists anyone negatively impacted by a crime, whether it be the victim, a witness, or a family member, who can benefit from the emotional comfort he brings.

As the justice system can be intimidating for adults, and particularly for children, Argo supports those in need during interviews or while testifying in court.

“Too often, we forget that behind every crime, there’s a victim and there’s a trauma and there’s a tragedy and then there’s testimony and the furtherance of the event. I think it’s fantastic that we have great resources like Argo to be able to bring that temperature down, bring that anxiety down, and the ability to function in such a stressful environment,” said Red Deer City Mayor Ken Johnston.

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Constable Cory Riggs said that Argo also helps police officers, during their first nerving experiences in court for example, and RCMP staff on the daily.

“We have hard days at work too and I know if I go to a tough call, I can come back and I’ll have at least a smile on my face,” he said.

Jeanveau said that Argo’s partner, Suzanne Couturier, Court Support Worker for Victims Services, guides him on and off duty as he lives with her at home. Jeanveau says this consistent bond is crucial for Argo to be successful in work.

Piera Angotti, Manager of Training and Apprentice Instructor at Dogs with Wings Assistance Dog Society, said the dogs are trained to do a series of grounding tasks that help victims to feel comforted, such as applying light pressure with their head on a child’s lap or a deeper pressure with their bodies along someone’s lap.

“These dogs have an impressive ability to settle in court and provide comfort to someone showing signs of anxiousness or distress,” she said.

The 26-year non-profit organization in Alberta places highly trained assistance dogs with individuals with disabilities and facility dogs with social services agencies.

Angotti says it costs them $40,000 to train a dog, with a charge of only $1 to clients. Argo’s training was sponsored by Booster Juice.

Jeanveau says not every Victim Services Unit has the privilege of having a service dog as a result. Red Deer had only one other dog prior to Argo, who retired in 2022.

READ: Service Dog Harley receives fond farewell from Victim Services Unit and RCMP

But last year, students at Red Deer Catholic’s Notre Dame High School saved the day and chose to fundraise for a new service dog as their 16th annual service project.

Shannon Nivens, Event Coordinator at the school, explained that every September, Grade 12 students brainstorm global and local charities they would like to raise money for. After hearing presentations from the top five chosen, students then raise funds in teams with parents and teachers through bottle drives, bake sales, and other initiatives for the organization with the most votes.

While each team had a fundraising goal of $2,023, the grad students ended up raising a total of $33,023, with one team even raising $10,000.

“It’s the legacy and them knowing that they’ve given back in their grad year and that kids can make a huge impact in our city and in our world,” she said.

READ: ND Fur Good Service Project underway

While all students in the school are encouraged to participate in fundraising, the project is mainly for the graduate students to help others while having fun. The project concludes with the “Week of Ridiculousness” challenge, where teams compete in a series of vaguely charity-related challenges, last year’s consisting of crime puzzles, plasma car races down the hall, and donut decorating contests, as well as the traditional 24-hour scavenger hunt.

“It’s all about fun and breaking down the barriers between RCMP and kids and staff and parents and really working together as a school community to make a difference,” she said.

This year’s service project is going towards the Central Alberta Women’s Emergency Shelter.

Jeanveau said the funds will cover Argo’s lifelong costs like food and medical expenses.

Couturier said Argo will remain on the team until his 10^th year or when he shows signs of retirement like difficulty listening to cues or improving in further training.

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