The Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre (CACAC) has a fluffy addition to their team. Quinn, a labrador/golden retriever cross will be welcomed as the organization’s new facility dog.

Quinn is a graduated pup from Dog With Wings Assistance Dog Society and was a long-awaited and highly anticpated member of the CACAC family.

“From the very first minute we opened our doors, we wanted to have a service dog. To have one as quick as we have, we're just absolutely thrilled. It's a testament to the way our community has pitched in and supported us and we couldn't be happier,” said Mark Jones CEO of the Child Advocacy Centre.

Naturally, Quinn came at a high cost but Red Deer’s Royal LePage Network Realty Corp. donated $60,000 for the specially trained dog. The business raised $100,000 at their annual golf tournament in 2019 and donated the remaining $40,000 to a women’s shelter.

However, the CACAC is sure the pup will prove to be invaluable when dealing with children who are experiencing trauma and other misfortunate events.

The CACAC's new facility dog, Quinn.

“When the kids come into the center, they're facing the worst of the worst situation. Sometimes it’s a situation you would never want anyone to be in. Quinn is going to make that process a little bit easier for them. When they're doing their forensic interviews, he will be with them and supporting them.  When they’re in court, he can go on the stand,” said Becca Glackin, CACAC Facility Dog Handler.

Glackin says the dog has a keen awareness of his surroundings and can pick out those experiencing stress and anxiety.

“Typically, when they go into a room they can sense whoever stressed and they kind of are drawn to that and help those people out. With the kids, he's just going to provide a calming environment,” explained Glackin.

Glackin and Quinn have undergone difficult Team Training and trained from seven to twelve hours a day since September. She will be taking care of Quinn in his new role.

 

Child Abuse Prevention Month has begun

The dog arrived just in time for Child Abuse Prevention Month. This month, the CACAC will be turning the town blue to raise child abuse awareness. Right now, you can purchase a blue heart decal at The B Nest Studios at Bower Mall.

“We will put the decals on the floor in our end of the mall to represent one and three children suffering abuse in Canada,” said Jones.

The B Nest Studios is the CACAC’s new storefront partnership that opened in August. The store sells locally made art, crafts, books, coffee, and CACAC merchandise. A portion of the proceeds from the store will go directly to the organization. Jones says the store has been a great way of raising funds during the pandemic.

Brandi-lee Webber co-owner of the B Nest Studios, and Jennifer O'Shea, Fund Development Coordinator for the CACAC at the store on October 7th, 2020.

“It's really tough out there in the fundraising world with COVID. We’re not really having big fundraisers. This was just a great opportunity for us to be in the mall and do something totally different. It's just starting to picking up steam and things are happening,” said Jones.

This year, the CACAC will be very active at Bower Mall and as Christmas approaches, they will be wrapping presents to raise funds yet again this year.

Despite the challenges of the year, Jones says there’s been a lot of positive and promising things happen for the CACAC this year but nothing that could have happened without the support of the community.