As part of their Peer Support program, the Calgary Police Service (CPS) are welcoming their first Operational Stress Intervention Dog, Sadie, a highly trained black Labrador retriever.
Calgary police Chief Katie McLellan called the announcement an important milestone for CPS in partnership with Wounded Warriors Canada, B.C. and Alberta Guide Dogs and Pulling Together for Mental Health, one that reflects ongoing commitment to the well being of all CPS workers.
“Policing is a profession rooted in service, courage and resilience, but it is also a profession that exposes our members, both sworn and civilian, to critical incidents, trauma and sustained operational stress over the course of their careers. While our members show incredible strength every day, we recognize that strength also means knowing when to access support,” she said.
“That is why I’m proud to introduce the Calgary Police Service’s first operational stress intervention dog.”
Day-to-day, Sadie will be around Calgary visiting police. Director of Service Dogs with B.C. and Alberta Guide Dogs, Mike Annan, said that when Sadie’s wearing her red jacket, she’s ready for duty.
“She has her uniform, she has her crest with her pips on it. I’m not sure what her rank is, but it’s quite high, and she comes to work daily with her handler and our secondary handler as well,” he said.
Working alongside CPS wellness staff, Sadie will provide general support to sworn and civilian members. Operational Stress Intervention Dogs are specifically trained to help reduce physiological symptoms of stress, promote emotional grounding and create a calming presence during times of trauma, crisis, or high operational demand, a CPS-issued release reads.
Looking back at her law enforcement career, McLellan said that there have been countless days when she wished she could’ve had a cuddle with someone like Sadie.
“Dogs in particular have been accepted as an animal that people love and feel comfort with. Throughout my career of 35 years of experience, we don’t have enough time to talk about that, but I’m super thankful that the dog is here now,” she said.
“I take the opportunity as much as I can to reach out and get comfort and just really encourage others that it’s okay, it’s fun, it’s supportive and it’s just a normal part of working here.”
Sadie gets to spend her whole day with people, which is what she loves to do, Annan said.
Now two years old, Sadie has spent her life so far training for her role as a service animal, including countless hours of public exposure in malls, trains and with other dogs. Once she was 14 months old, Sadie was selected for advanced training, where her career was chosen based on things like behavior evaluations, ultimately landing her with CPS.
The CPS Wellness and Resiliency Division will oversee Sadie’s daily deployment, with her handler specifically trained in occupational stress support.
The CPS joins a growing number of police and first responder agencies across Canada incorporating Operational Stress Intervention Dogs into their mental health strategies, according to CPS. Sadie’s addition to the force reflects the Service’s broader commitment to strengthening early intervention, resilience, and long‑term support for its members.
