Grande Prairie facility dogs Pluto and Sky get a year of free food from Pet Valu
The sponsorship covers all food and treats for the pair, who comfort young people through police interviews and court testimony.
Pluto and Sky, the two facility support dogs at Grande Prairie's Caribou Child & Youth Centre, have received a Companions for Change feeding sponsorship from Pet Valu, covering the full cost of their food and treats for one year.
The dogs work with children and youth navigating the criminal justice system, offering comfort and companionship during difficult moments such as police disclosures and court testimonies. Unlike typical dog guides paired with one handler long-term, Pluto and Sky are introduced to a new client almost daily and must adapt quickly to support them through investigations or proceedings, according to program coordinator Nicole Bockus.
Pet Valu CEO Greg Ramier said the company learned of the dogs' work in Alberta through its longstanding support of the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides, which has provided food and treats to dogs and puppies in training in southern Ontario since 2019.
The Caribou Child and Youth Centre opened in 2012 and is only the second child advocacy centre in Alberta.
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