Thursday, September 12, 2019
VOLUME 2 I ISSUE 11
MERIDIANSOURCE.CA
SEE PAGES 21-28 FOR OUR INSIDEOUT - FALL EDITION 2019 PULL OUT FEATURE
Dr. George comes to the rescue GEOFF LEE WRITER
.................................. George the therapy dog is in puppy school this week and the Lloydminster Rescue Squad who acquired the pooch is lapping it up. Rescue squad chief Norm Namur and deputy chief Ryan LeBlanc were thrilled to introduce him at the Sept. 10 breakfast meeting of Border City Rotary Club that donated $7,000 to buy and train him. The Newfoundland and poodle cross known as a Newfypoo was purchased in Saskatoon on Aug. 28 and immediately put his soothing personality to work. “The first night we brought him home, he actually introduced himself to every member. He literally went around and greeted every member,” said Namur. “We thought he would be quite fitted for the job.” LeBlanc says a therapy dog like George helps people calm their nerves in a neg-
ative time in their life whether it would in the hospital or somebody’s been involved in sexual violence. “We feel this dog will help with some mental health in the community,” said LeBlanc. The rescue squad is partnering with the Lloydminster Sexual Assault and Information Centre. “We’re to get a couple of extra dog handlers from them and we’re going to be working closely with some of their programs,” explained Namur. “When we approached them about the therapy dog they were right on board and supported us.” George was also love at first sight for rotary club president Evan Stephens. “He’s a cutey. He’s something else. He’s a real lovable little dog. I think he’ll do wonders for the kids,” said Stephens. “This dog is going to come in really useful for our community.” Stephens says when the rescue squad
Geoff Lee Meridian Source
Lloydminster Rescue Squad introduced a new four legged member, George, a Newfypoo therapy dog at Border City Rotary Club on Sept. 10—George’s first day of puppy school. Holding George is Ryan LeBlanc, deputy chief of the rescue squad with chief Norm Namur on the right. The rotary club donated $7,000 for the purchase and training of George.
approached them with the idea of bringing in a therapy dog, they jumped on board knowing George could work with kids. “We focus on youth events and we see a great need in our community for this type of animal to help with
the youth and calm the youth down,” said Stephens. “It’s a great thing the Lloyd rescue club is doing; we’d just like to be a part of it.” George will also work with EMS, police and firefighters, schools and other groups that
need him. The dog is hypoallergenic and doesn’t shed much either which makes him pet friendly for hospital visits and outings at seniors’ homes. “He’s can sit on the couch without she dding a whole lot and
especially, the hypoallergenic, that’s going to be so important especially when we visit the hospital,” added Namur. George is living at the home of a former rescue member where he is getting regular training. “Ryan and myself and whoever the other handlers are going to be will pick him up and will work with him and train with him,” said Namur. “He’s going to puppy school tonight and then as he gets a little older will get into the therapy school which is going to be a couple of weeks and any other training that we see that we need for him.” Namur says there could be up to five handlers as he suspects the demand for George’s services will be strong. “He will be on call if there is a tragedy in the community—we will gladly take him to that incident and to whoever the counsellors are and provide a service to those groups,” said Namur.