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Meet Rosa, K.V.’s Newest Police Recruit

Saint John, NB, Canada / 97.3 The Wave
Tamara Steele
May 22, 2019 | 6:15 AM


Meet Rosa, K.V.'s Newest Police Recruit

Rosa is the new assisted-therapy dog with the Kennebecasis Regional Police Force. (Tamara Steele/Wave News)

The newest officer joining the K.V. police is an energetic addition who can barely stay still.

Rosa, a four-month-old chocolate Labrador retriever, has been donated to the force as an assisted-therapy dog to help officers cope with the trauma they face on the job.

Corporals Aaron Haines and Lindsey Mott are Rosa’s handlers.

Bev Wells of Canine Therapy for First Responders says she sees a great deal of potential in Rosa.

Rosa’s training will involve learning how to interact with humans properly and becoming comfortable around people in public spaces.

“Her training will be a good year and a half before she can even be considered for certification.”

Wells says she’s excited for Rosa calling it the “most amazing thing ever”.

“I know how much a dog affects a human’s emotional state just having one around. For the officers who do so much for us, it’s very least we can do for them to give back.”

Rosa made her debut at a news conference on Tuesday and Senior K.V. Police Chaplain Peter Gillies offered a blessing for her as the newest addition to the force.

K.V. Police Chief Wayne Gallant was able to see in person how a therapy dog program works.

“Just by pure coincidence, I happened to attend a conference where the Franklin County Sherriff’s Department was putting on a session with their therapy dog. I got to meet with their handlers.”

Gallant says this is different for policing than your traditional police dog in having one in the station just to provide comfort after a tough day on the job.

“Which actually happened last week, we had a difficult call and Rosa was here and people just reacted positively to her presence. She is already having a great impact.” Chief Gallant said.