Karson, the heart healer, support giver, and strength provider

The Eagle Tower Victims Services Society offers support and assistance to victims of crime during and after a crisis. A big piece of the puzzle comes in the form of a friendly black lab named Karson. Trained by the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides, Karson can support a wide range of people, regardless of age, ability/disability, or gender.

The impact a dog can make while sitting next to a victim as they retell their account in court or an interview room is significant, especially for children. “Once victims go through court, he is such a comfort being on the stand with them, especially for youth sexual assault. They basically look at Karson and answer the questions they need and don’t really think of anything past that. He is a Godsend when it comes to that stuff,” explained Crime Prevention Coordinator Tina Prodaniuk. “If you imagine an eight-year-old that has to tell their story in a sex assault case, Karson is typically there with them. He can help even debrief after in an interview room,” she said.

“If somebody is coming to the detachment and they are reporting a crime, and they are having a hard time expressing it, because these are horrible stories that people are telling, sometimes him coming into the interview room or into the space, where they are talking to the victim, provides a night and day response,” she added. “We’ve used him lots within our office.”

Each day, Karson clocks into work at the Whitecourt RCMP detachment along with his handler, court liaison Suzanne Carlson. He has several beds to lounge in, including one massive one in his handler’s office and several favourite toys to play with. “We’ve had Karson for a couple of years. He is an integral part of our unit. He stays at our office during the work day and goes home with her (Carlson) at night,” said Prodaniuk.

Throughout the day, Karson goes where he is needed and has the complete run of the main detachment space. Often, he will sense that he is needed in a particular office and will go to it to offer support to the staff member, picking up on their emotional cues, whether visible or not. “When the officers have a bad day because there are lots of those, Karson will walk around and find the stress,” explained Prodaniuk. “It’s kind of interesting. He definitely is an aid for our office, and we use it for that. It’s a wonderful thing.”

For Cpl. Lajeunesse, Karson’s presence at the detachment, brings peace. “He makes his rounds every morning, goes to every office, and nudges everybody. Some members give him treats, and he goes straight to their offices first,” he chuckled. “He’s become part of the detachment. You’ll be sitting here, and he will tap you with his nose, and you’ll pet him a bit. It is a relaxing thing. We notice that people are more at ease.”

With three dogs of his own at home, Cpl. Lajeunesse said he can’t imagine a time when he won’t have a dog. “They love you. And that’s what Karson does with us. As soon as he comes in, he goes around and starts at one end and goes to the other. He gives extra love when needed.” Whether he gives a nose bump or a rub, places his head on someone’s leg, or wraps his paws around their feet while seated at their desk, Karson knows where he is needed and where his presence will do the most at that moment. “He seems to go to whoever needs help,” said Cpl. Lajeunesse.

When a call to go out comes through, Karson has a special spot in the hallway where he plants himself, awaiting the officers as they make their way toward the back door before hopping into their cruisers to meet an unknown scenario. “When the officers run out on a call, they tap him on the head for good luck before they go. It’s just one of those things,” said Prodaniuk.

Whether he is helping a young child as they recount a traumatic memory in court, calming someone in an interview space following a crime, or giving love to an officer after a tough call, Karson is an asset beyond measure. “He could walk around this room and sit on someone’s foot, and I would know that he has noticed something and that something is going on. It’s a helpful tool to have. If we go to court, we don’t have to tell him who the victim is; he finds them,” explained Prodaniuk.

Eagle Tower’s community fundraising helped pay for Karson and the ten-day training needed before he could come to Whitecourt. He is considered a Facility Support Dog Guide. Unlike other support dogs, who work with one person regularly, Karson is trained to work with numerous people and has impacted both detachment members and residents in the municipality.

On March 29, Karson celebrated his fifth birthday. To follow Karson’s adventures and learn more about him, check out Karson’s Kareer on Facebook. There are regular posts about visits Karson makes in the community and his interactions with RCMP members and the general public. Information is also shared about Eagle Tower Victim Services and their work.