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Therapy dogs bring comfort to athletes at Canada Winter Games

Feb 22, 2019 | 1:59 PM

Therapy dogs from St. John Ambulance paid a visit to the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre on Friday.

Dylan and Booker were there to show comfort and support to athletes competing at the Games.

Sandi Misselbrook, Manager of Community Service for St. John Ambulance in Alberta explains why these dogs come out to big events.

“Therapy dogs visit throughout Canada and various locations and when we have major games like this, our teams are invited to participate in relaxation. What they do is they come, they visit, they relax, they play they have fun. If the athletes are a little focused on what they’re doing it releases their stress and it’s also a cooperative event where people come and enjoy it.”

Team Alberta artistic swimmer Kelsey Ayers says it’s beneficial for athletes to have a distraction from competition.

“I have a dog at home. I think it’s amazing to see dogs and just feel more at home,” she says. “Even though we aren’t far from home I still feel like it’s important to me because it makes me feel safe. It’s a nice calming distraction.”

Scott Robinson, CEO of the 2019 Canada Winter Games is pleased by the effects these animals have on the athletes.

“There’s a lot of pressure that could be on athletes at these games. They have high expectations of course and they’re all trying to do their best,” Robinson remarks. “We’re trying to take a holistic approach ensuring the environment is safe for them and that they have access to maybe in some cases the comforts of home whether it be a dog or pet of some form.”

The dogs came to the Athletes Village on RDC Campus at the start of the games and this therapy program will continue until the end.