“It’s a big loss,” Bourassa said. “It will be felt.”
Bourassa said the MJPS will be looking to find both a new Victim Services co-ordinator and, hopefully, a new facility dog.
“Through Donna’s initiative, Kane has had a really, really good impact in terms of opening a lot of doors that might not necessarily be open …,” he said. “And we really want to continue that.”
Blondeau who, earlier this month, announced her upcoming retirement started with the MJPS in May 1994, having previously worked with the province’s Aboriginal Court Worker program. She built MJPS’s Victim Services program from the ground up, seeking advice from existing programs in Regina and Saskatoon while tailoring to fit Moose Jaw’s needs.
Canuck Place gets a new therapy dog to take over from the late Poppy vancouversun.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from vancouversun.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Canuck Place therapy dog Gaia (Beth Holbrook)
Canuck Place Children’s Hospice is welcoming a new and very adorable fluffy employee.
Gaia the therapy dog will be supporting kids with life-threatening illnesses at the hospice, working alongside Canuck Place nurse practitioner Camara Van Breemen and nurse Brenda Dewar.
Selected from dozens of candidates, Gaia’s loving and gentle demeanour, combined with her impeccable training, won Canuck Place staff over.
Canuck Place therapy dog Gaia (Beth Holbrook)
“Gaia was chosen from dozens of candidates for this type of work not only because she demonstrates the ability to seek out those that need her support, but perhaps more importantly, she can support them without taking on the stress herself. This is a rare trait in dogs, just as it is in the special humans that work at Canuck Place,” said Laura Watamanuk, executive director of Pacific Assistance Dogs Society (PADS), who partnered with the project.