Manitoba Justice Victim Services Accredited Facility Dog
Gloucester (Glossy) is an accredited facility dog and has been part of the Manitoba Justice Victim Services team since July 2023. Glossy is a smart, friendly black Labrador retriever who knows approximately 20 commands. She has a calming and comforting effect on the people around her, especially children and youth. Glossy participates in meetings and attends court with survivors of crime and childhood trauma. She attends various levels of court in a supportive capacity as victims testify. Her affection and support helps many child victims of crime while they navigate their way through the criminal court system. Prior to joining Victim Services, Glossy was trained by Pacific Assistance Dog Society (PADS) for two years.
Victim Services staff assist victims of crime as their matters move through the criminal justice system. Glossy is a key member of the team, and her calm and loving presence helps victims of crime through very difficult times.
To learn more about Glossy, visit PADS.
What are the benefits of facility dogs?
The benefits of intervention through assistance dogs have been scientifically proven and include:
- reducing the blood pressure of clients
- reducing stress and anxiety
- reducing aggression
- helping to normalize traumatic situations
- acting as an effective icebreaker
- elevating levels of serotonin and dopamine hormones in the body, which calm and relax individuals
- acting as a tool for individuals who struggle to communicate, particularly children or persons with disabilities
- providing a source of physical comfort, and
- boosting staff morale
Manitoba Justice Victim Services’ past facility dog
In 2016, Manitoba Justice Victim Services welcomed their first accredited facility dog to the team, Milan. Milan directly supported survivors of crime and childhood trauma in court on over 125 occasions. She also attended hundreds of meetings and assisted over 700 individuals as they participated in the court system, before retiring in 2021.
