The end of an era: Merlot the Regina police dog retires after 8 years of service
A long serving member of the Regina Police Service is retiring.
Merlot the facility dog is stepping away from the majority of her duties after eight years of helping children and vulnerable people through traumatic experiences.
“Her job was really just bringing that calming presence to individuals who have to come in and talk about traumatic incidents,” Sgt. Tia Froh, who has been Merlot’s handler throughout her career, said.
“I would do the interview, Merlot would sit on the couch beside the individual that was being interviewed, and just help relax them. Then we would follow them through the judicial process.”
Merlot turned 10 in January. Last year, Froh started to notice some changes in Merlot that ultimately led to the canine’s retirement.
“She was having some health issues so that started me looking into things a little bit more,” Froh said.
“I just started seeing that she wasn’t engaged as much as she had been in the past, difficulty taking on that stress and just the ways that Merlot would present would tell me that the stress was becoming too much.”
Retirement was the best decision for Merlot and her health.
Those who got to observe Merlot’s work over the years say she was a tremendous help for the hundreds of people she assisted.
“Watching how the kids would respond to Merlot and see how their anxiety would be reduced, and you could just see that their stress was lowered when Merlot was there,” Dr. Danielle DeSorcy, clinical psychologist of policing for investigative services, said.
Merlot’s effect went beyond those being interviewed - she was also an asset to members of the Regina Police Service.
“Merlot’s always there. She comes and gives us licks and hugs and it just always makes such a happy and stress free environment,” Dr. DeSorcy said.
“When she comes and visits the main station, she walks in with her tail is wagging, she runs into our offices and we all just kind of [feel relief] and say, ‘There’s Merlot!’ We wish she was here all the time.”
Download the CTV News app to get local alerts sent to your device
Sgt. Froh now plans to adopt Merlot. Although the facility dog is retiring in an official capacity, she’ll still be around from time to time.
“We could still use her within the area that I’m in now if there are certain circumstances that we think that someone would benefit from her. She might pop in and make some guest appearances,” Froh said.
For the most part, Merlot will now spend her days with the people she loves most, doing what she loves most.
“She loves to exercise, she loves to swim and she loves food,” Froh said.
“So just some naps and relaxing and not having to stress anymore.”
Sgt. Froh said the Regina Police Service has another handler who has been chosen to get a new dog to take over Merlot’s duties. That handler will now wait until a dog match comes through.
“When that happens, RPS and myself will announce that when the dog arrives,” Froh said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Bus plunges off a bridge in South Africa, killing 45 people. An 8-year-old child is only survivor
A bus carrying worshippers headed to an Easter festival plunged off a bridge on a mountain pass and burst into flames in South Africa on Thursday, killing at least 45 people, authorities said.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Calgary bridges remain closed due to ongoing police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Kinew, Poilievre meet at Manitoba legislature, discuss each other's priorities
Premier Wab Kinew and federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre met at the Manitoba legislature Thursday afternoon.
Rainfall warnings of up to 80 mm among weather alerts in effect for 6 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres and other alerts have been issued for six Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.