Date: Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Victoria, BC – VicPD is pleased to introduce our newest member, a 3-year-old Golden Labrador Retriever named Daisy.
On Tuesday, October 24, Chief Del Manak welcomed Daisy to the VicPD family during a swearing-in ceremony where she officially took on her duties as an Operational Stress Intervention (OSI) Dog.
VicPD Occupational Stress Intervention (OSI) Dog Daisy
Daisy has been donated to VicPD by Wounded Warriors Canada in partnership with VICD – BC & Alberta Guide Dogs who provided the training for Daisy and her handlers.
“The positive outcomes of having an Operational Stress Intervention Dog support organization members are without question. Operational Stress Intervention Dogs create an opportunity for safe and meaningful connections while promoting a trust-filled environment for members to debrief. Dogs like Daisy are making huge impacts on the mental health and well-being of organizations such as the Victoria Police Department. VICD – BC & Alberta Guide Dogs is grateful to be a part of this impactful experience.” Executive Director Mike Annan, VICD Service Dogs, a Division of BC & Alberta Guide Dogs.
“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 OSI Daisy will play with the Victoria Police Department and we’re extremely proud to help make this pairing possible.” – Executive Director Scott Maxwell, Wounded Warriors Canada
Partnered with two VicPD employees, Daisy will spend her days supporting our staff. Daisy is trained to recognize when people are undergoing a stressful or traumatic experience, and she will be there to help relieve some of those feelings and provide comfort to those that need it.
“Daisy’s presence here at VicPD has already brought many smiles and moments of joy into everyone’s workday. Our staff experience traumatic events throughout each day and having Daisy here to help relieve the burden of the trauma we experience on a daily basis is another step forward in our commitment to the health and wellbeing of our staff. We are thankful for the partnerships we have with Wounded Warriors Canada and VICD – BC & Alberta Guide Dogs; their support with OSI Daisy has been invaluable.” – VicPD Chief Constable Del Manak
Daisy is an addition to our suite of programs to support the health of wellness of our officers and staff, including an in-house psychologist, annual wellness checks for all staff, a Peer Support Team and a return-to-work Sergeant to help our officers and staff cope with those everyday stresses and offer their best each day.
Daisy will also be available to support some of our most vulnerable citizens who have been victims of crime during the interview and investigation process. A fan of people and head pats, she begins her duties today and will be a constant presence in our offices and, occasionally, our communities.
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We are seeking qualified candidates for both police officer and civilian positions. Thinking about a career in public service? VicPD is an equal-opportunity employer. Join VicPD and help us make Victoria and Esquimalt a safer community together.
