WFPS members take paws at work to boost morale

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This article was published 23/06/2022 (1211 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A new collaboration between the city’s animal services agency and Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service will connect adoptable dogs with first responders in an effort to boost morale and help animals find homes.

The initiative, dubbed “station doggie dates,” is an extension of the pre-existing “doggie dates” program that allows Winnipeg residents or businesses to take an animal out of the city shelter for up to a week.

WFPS teams can request a dog to come and stay at the station throughout their shift. If crews would like to keep the animals longer, members can bring them home overnight or even adopt the dog.

For roughly a month, Murphy, a eight-year-old boxer-mastiff mix, has been a guest at Station 9 on Marion Street, providing emotional support to first responders in exchange for belly rubs.

“Almost instantly, you can see the positive benefits,” said captain Tim Arbuckle. “It probably brings some normalcy to our everyday… You kind of forget about the stresses of work for a few minutes and just helps you relax and have some downtime.”

Arbuckle transferred to Station 9 three weeks ago. While he was initially shocked to see a dog there, Murphy has been a natural fit, Arbuckle said, adding he’d like to see other stations get involved with the program.

WFPS Chief Christian Schmidt agrees.

“I’ve seen huge benefits,” he said. “I had the opportunity to see a couple of the crews return from difficult calls and spend some time with Murphy, and clearly, this program is making a very positive difference.”

The collaboration is one of several mental health initiatives the WFPS has undertaken in the last year.

In December, it introduced a behavioural health unit that includes a nurse and clinical psychologist who provide targeted support to members. The WFPS also developed the Peer Connect app, which connects staff to peer support, mental health resources and information.

“There are things (first responders) are exposed to that the average member of the general public would never be exposed to in a lifetime,” Schmidt said. “Having these animals in the stations… the ability to care for the animal, and visit with the animal, and pet the animal while they’re in the station — these are all basic human needs.”

Animal services officially launched the station program June 23. Since its announcement, two other WFPS sites have reached out to get involved.

Leland Gordon, general manager of animal services, described the program as a “win-win.”

“Nobody likes dogs sitting in kennels in an animal shelter, so how awesome is it to be able to place these dogs in a facility with lots of staff who love the dog (and) spend time with the dog?” he said. “On our end, we hope this slightly increases our dog adoptions, gives the more socialization, more enrichment out in the community.”

Recent adoption rates have been low for animal services — currently housing more than 25 dogs, exceeding its comfortable capacity of 20, Gordon said.

All dogs participating in the WFPS station program remain up for public adoption.

tyler.searle@freepress.mb.ca