Do you know who is a very good dog? And who is turning 3? It's Thorin who works with Yukon Emergency Medical Services.
Thorin has been working with Yukon EMS in Whitehorse since April. Over lunch break today the team said happy birthday to their service dog.
They also gave him a badge for his vest which he'll wear on special occasions.
Thorin is accredited through the Pacific Assistance Dogs Society as a service dog.
What is Thorin's role at work?
Having a service dog is part of the mandate of the Yukon EMS Peer Support Program. This provides peer-based emotional, social and practical support to EMS practitioners in the Yukon. The program's mission is to help foster a service "where paramedics, community responders and dispatchers have easy access to support for everything: From day-to-day stressors on the job and life in general to critical incidents that only we as peers can truly understand.”
Trained to help
While he might be only a pup, Thorin is calm and quiet like an old dog. This demeanour makes him a good presence for those experiencing trauma, pain, grief, illness or injury. This working dog is very much here for a serious purpose as we promote well-being in the workplace and in patient-centered care.
Good dog, Thorin! Thank you for being a calming and loving presence which is so needed sometimes.