Each year students at Notre Dame High School choose a charity to support as part of their grad service project and this year they chose Red Deer Victim Services.  

After learning the organization does not have a service dog and often borrows one from Olds and Camrose, students are hoping each team raises around $2,000 towards this initiative.

Event Coordinator Shannon Nivens said trauma is something that can affect us all and hopes they can help make a difference.  

“It could be any background, it could be any economic background, and it could be any age and within Central Alberta which was a big draw. One of the things Victim Services said they will be purchasing is a trauma dog as well.”  

Constable Nicole Quick, co-manager of Victim Services said service dogs are often used to provide comfort for trauma victims including children and frontline service workers.

She added not having one of their own has presented them with challenges.

“As you can imagine because there are only two dogs and there is quite a large population in Central Alberta, these dogs are quite the hot commodities. Sometimes they’re booked and we’ve had many times that we aren’t able to provide support to people.”

Last year students at Notre Dame raised around $35,000 for Parkland School.  

Students will be raising dollars until the beginning of March and those wanting to make a donation can call Shannon Nivens at Notre Dame High School, (403) 342-4800.