Riverview Fire and Rescue and the Town of Riverview are deeply saddened to share with the public the news of the sudden passing of their Facility Dog, Murphy.
The beloved yellow Labrador retriever puppy passed in his sleep in the early morning hours of Wednesday, June 29th.
“In the short time he was with us, he touched the heart of many people in our community,” said Fire Chief, Robin True.
“Our department will work with the team at Canine Therapy for First Responders Atlantic to try and determine what happened in this instance. Our support for the program is as strong as ever, and when the time is right, we will renew this program in Riverview. The Facility Dog program is a valuable part of the mental health support system for our First Responders, as Murphy taught us in his short but impactful time with the crew. We will honour him by continuing this important work.”
Murphy officially joined the Riverview Fire and Rescue team only two weeks ago and had already made a significant contribution to morale across the Town – visiting events and cheerfully introducing himself to residents.
His sweet disposition was a comfort to all who had the privilege of meeting him.
“We are truly heartbroken to hear of this tragedy,” said Tracey Ryan, Canine Therapy For First Responders Atlantic President.
“The connections that Murphy made with the community in his brief time were so pure. We will be working closely with our veterinary partners and the team at UPEI to understand what caused his sudden passing as we try to gain closure. Our hearts go out to Riverview Fire and Rescue, our handler’s families, and the entire Town as we mourn this special puppy.”
Mental health support will continue to be prioritized and provided to staff during this time.
The Town shares condolences to all those affected by this sad news. May Murphy’s gentle spirit live on in how we connect as a community.
