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CANADA
Wed., July 1, 2015
Issue 7
SERVING THE ENERGY CITY FOR 113 YEARS
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Sun Country board preps for annual report By Norm Park normpark@estevanmercury.ca
There were no specific items or problems singled out for Sun Country Health Region with this year’s pro-
vincial audit, but the health region’s vice-president of finance, suggested there are still things that can be taken from the report that will improve local operations. John Knoch, vice-
president of finance and corporate services for Sun Country, said there were at least three recommendations delivered to other health regions, that Sun Country could take into
consideration to improve efficiencies. The audit did note, though, that Sun Country needs to complete a new affiliation agreement with Borderline Housing
in Carnduff. The two-month financial statement was also received by the board of directors who were meeting in the region’s head office at Tatagwa View in
All ABout Pace The Estevan Eels swim team hosted swimmers from across the province at a Saturday meet at the RM of Estevan Aquatic Centre. For a full story on the meet, see B1. Photo by Mackenzie Hientz
Weyburn on June 24. This document noted spending and revenue items were coming in close to schedule so a modest surplus was still on the books, even with expenses being a little over budget due to some increases in staffing hours. Advertising and promotion items were also exceeding allocations, but no major additional expenses were expected on that front to the end of the fiscal year. Board chairwoman Marilyn Charlton said board members and administrators are taking advantage of having more conference calls and spending less time travelling and conducting on-site meetings, which will cut down the expenses on that file. In fact, she noted, the June 5 provincial leadership meeting was conducted in that manner as was the June 23 governance committee meeting. The motion to approve the draft of the new budget was passed with the expectation that the provincial government and Ministry of Health will approve the annual report by the end of July. In other board business, it was noted that an Estevan-based symposium ⇢ A2 Weyburn’s
Lending a helping paw in the southeast Southeast Regional Victim Services obtains assistance from trauma k9 By Alex Coop acoop@estevanmercury.ca
Southeast Saskatchewan will now have access to a working dog dedicated to helping victims cope with traumatic events, and the dog couldn’t be happier. Tara Busch, victim services co-ordinator for Southeast Regional Victim Services, said whenever she is called out to help a person who has lost a loved one, or assist a child with delivering a statement after a traumatic event, she won’t be going alone.
“He’s my new partner,” Busch said, while patting Beaumont, a two-year-old chocolate Labrador, on the head. Members of the Pacific Assistance Dogs Society (PADS) and Southeast Regional Victims Services, at the Estevan Police Service, made the official announcement on June 24. Joining them was Beaumont, who recently graduated from PADS’ assistance dog training program. EPS police Chief Paul Ladouceur and Weyburn police Chief Marlo Pritchard, were also on hand for T:7.3”
the announcement. “We’ve just learned that there are things that these dogs can do that humans can’t,” Busch said. She noted humans have the ability to try and calm people down in stressful situations, but stressed a dog’s ability to effectively calm someone down in even the most intense situations. “They help normalize those situations,” she said. Tara Dong, communication manager for PADS, said children often don’t want to talk to adults when making a statement to police.
“They’re in a moment of trauma and don’t want to tell adults how they feel or give them details,” Dong said. “They can tell dogs the story ... no one will think that child was led on by someone or forced to say something they didn’t want to.” Laura Watamanuk, executive director for PADS, said a lot of their clients have been adults, too. She recounted a couple who had lost a daughter, adding the couple was able to cope with the situation because of an assistance dog. ⇢ A2 People
Two-year-old Beaumont will be serving the southeast with Tara Busch, victim services co-ordinator for Southeast Regional Victim Services.
Senchuk
Ford Sales Ltd.
118 Souris Ave. N., Estevan 306-634-3696 • www.senchukford.ca
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