Canadian Veteran Service Dog Unit

27/06/2024

Today, on National PTSD Awareness Day, we revisit the inspiring journey of Sandy and his faithful service dog, Mandy.

Sandy, a veteran, bravely shares his battle with PTSD and the transformative impact Mandy has had on his life. From isolation to hope, their journey speaks volumes about the power of companionship and support.

Your Support Matters

As we honor PTSD Awareness Day, let's reaffirm our commitment to those who've served. Consider lending your support to organizations like CVSDU, ensuring more veterans and first responders like Sandy find the solace and healing they deserve.



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Aujourd'hui, en cette Journée nationale de sensibilisation au TSPT, nous revisitons le parcours inspirant de Sandy et de sa fidèle chienne de service, Mandy.

Sandy, un vétéran, partage courageusement sa lutte contre le TSPT et l'impact transformateur que Mandy a eu sur sa vie. De l'isolement à l'espoir, leur parcours témoigne de la puissance de la compagnie et du soutien.

Votre soutien compte

Alors que nous honorons la Journée de sensibilisation au TSPT, réaffirmons notre engagement envers ceux qui ont servi. Envisagez d'apporter votre soutien à des organisations comme CVSDU, garantissant que davantage de vétérans et de premiers intervenants, comme Sandy, trouvent le réconfort et la guérison qu'ils méritent.

27/06/2024

Trauma & PTSD

"Over the last twenty-five years society’s understanding of the effects of trauma has changed dramatically and so has the way we help people struggling with the effects of trauma.

Whether experienced on the battlefield or during various military operations, or at a crime or accident scene, a building fire, a disaster or terrorist event, military members, police officers, firefighters, paramedics and first responders are more prone to experience extreme trauma than an average person.

That is why when the effects of trauma manifest itself in conditions like Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), these heroes who have served our community, province and country deserve our support."

Visit our website at www.cvsdu.ca to find out how we are helping provide PTSD service dogs and peer support to veterans and first responders living with PTSD.

Today, we raise awareness for those living with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Let's show our support and spread kindness.

20/06/2024

What are posttraumatic stress injuries? What is posttraumatic stress disorder?

A good resource to find out more is the CIPSRT-ICRTSP
(Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment)

Shifting barriers around posttraumatic stress injuries (PTSI) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Panel discussion: Shifting barriers – Destigmatizing posttraumatic stress injuries among first responders and other public safety personnel Watch now June is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) ...

16/06/2024

We’d like to extend a huge thank you to Stanley's Olde Maple Lane Farm for the incredible event today!

Many people came over to learn about the CVSDU, PTSD service dogs and how we help veterans and first responders living with PTSD.

This event was incredibly well organized, and everyone we spoke to said they were having a great time! We hope to be invited back again next year.

16/06/2024

Come on down to Stanley's Olde Maple Lane Farm for the Fathers Day Tractor Jam, and help support the CVSDU!

14/06/2024

TRACTOR JAM - Sunday, June 16th

Come on down to Stanley's Olde Maple Lane Farm for a good ol' fashioned Tractor Jam! The generous organizers will donate a part of the gate proceeds to the CVSDU!

We'll also be set up with our trailer and several dog & handler teams will be there to answer any questions you might have about us, and yes, we'll have merch!

Event page here: https://stanleysfarm.com/family-fun/tractor-jam/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2wM5Icf2nrLiuuCLqUTP-H-ck0CrShvzekqM148z2dX9hjmwg6F4HyMSU_aem_AWDR8AFn9soUxMGGBRMJ4ZdjMxDDQjOFifCUPRg4JIWjsKvJYoOh8C_9ZzSlPrkYnAhcayf653xgr5C6zQx7d21G

See you Sunday!

Looking for the perfect way to celebrate Father's Day next weekend? Look no further! Join us for the 3rd Annual Tractor Jam on June 16th, and make this Father's Day unforgettable.

Whether your dad is a tractor enthusiast, a music lover, or just loves spending quality time with the family, Tractor Jam has something for everyone! 👨‍👧‍👦

This Father's Day, give your dad the gift of a fun-filled day with family, music, food, and tractors! We can't wait to celebrate with you.

12/06/2024

Women Veterans Day is observed on June 12 in the United States, a date chosen to mark the anniversary of the Women's Armed Services Integration Act, which granted women permanent status in the military.

We honour the brave women who have served Canada with unwavering strength and courage. From the front lines to leadership roles, their contributions have shaped history and inspired generations.

11/06/2024

TRACTOR JAM

Sunday, June 16th - 11am to 4pm

Come on out to beautiful Stanley's Olde Maple Lane Farm this Sunday in support of two great causes!

Join the festivities at Stanley's Olde Maple Lane Farm as we celebrate 30 years of successful business and support the battle with mental health in agriculture!

10/06/2024

The CVSDU extends a heartfelt and well-deserved congratulations to Dr. Linzi Williamson, co-director of the University of Saskatchewan Pawsitive Connections Lab, for being chosen as a CBC future 40 winner! Dr. Williamson has been doing some important research into the human animal bond, and we are proud to be able to work with her.

You can watch Dr. Williamson's video in our Linktree (1st item):
https://linktr.ee/cvsdu_ucavc

06/06/2024

On June 6, 1944, thousands of Canadian soldiers bravely stormed Juno Beach as part of the D-Day invasion, marking a pivotal moment in World War II. Despite facing heavily fortified German defenses and treacherous conditions, the Canadian forces showed extraordinary courage and determination. Their efforts were crucial in securing a foothold in Normandy and paving the way for the liberation of Western Europe.

Today, we honor the incredible bravery and sacrifices of these heroes. Their actions on that fateful day changed the course of history and demonstrated the strength and resilience of our nation. As we commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day, let us remember and pay tribute to the valiant Canadian soldiers who fought for our freedom.

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Le 6 juin 1944, des milliers de soldats canadiens ont courageusement pris d'assaut Juno Beach dans le cadre de l'invasion du jour J, marquant un moment crucial de la Seconde Guerre mondiale. Malgré les défenses allemandes fortement fortifiées et les conditions difficiles, les forces canadiennes ont fait preuve d'un courage et d'une détermination extraordinaires. Leurs efforts ont été cruciaux pour sécuriser une tête de pont en Normandie et ouvrir la voie à la libération de l'Europe occidentale.

Aujourd'hui, nous honorons l'incroyable bravoure et les sacrifices de ces héros. Leurs actions ce jour fatidique ont changé le cours de l'histoire et démontré la force et la résilience de notre nation. En commémorant le 80e anniversaire du jour J, souvenons-nous et rendons hommage aux valeureux soldats canadiens qui ont combattu pour notre liberté.

03/06/2024

Become a part of creating a difference! Join the Giving Challenge! ✨

CanadaHelps is running the Great Canadian Giving Challenge contest throughout June. Each donation of $10 or more you make to any charity via CanadaHelps.org in the month of June qualifies you for a chance to win incredible adventure-themed prizes. CanadaHelps will also be awarding two prizes of $10,000 donations to two charities!

Your donations will also be special as June 27th is National PTSD Awareness Day.

*For contest rules, see https://www.canadahelps.org/en/givingchallenge-rules

01/06/2024

💡 JUNE is PTSD Awareness Month

Visit our website at www.cvsdu.ca to find out how we are helping provide PTSD service dogs and peer support to veterans and first responders living with PTSD.

26/05/2024

LAST DAY TODAY - May 26th

You're in for a treat, today the The Ottawa Kennel Club will be hosting Canine Good Neighbours Testing! Come on down for our last day at this amazing event!

We're all set up at the The Ottawa Kennel Club Dog Show and Trials!

Come on down and say hello, and ask us anything you want to know about the CVSDU, our PTSD Service Dogs and how we help veterans and first responders living with PTSD.

Event link: https://fb.me/e/1ZehVEbWI

25/05/2024

Day 2 at the The Ottawa Kennel Club Dog Show and Trials!

Come on down and met some of our dog and handler teams, ask us anything you want to know about the CVSDU and how we help veterans and first responders living with PTSD.

We even have merch for sale! Black and red t-shirts with our logo are available on site until stock runs out.

Event link: https://fb.me/e/1ZehVEbWI

24/05/2024

We're all set up at the The Ottawa Kennel Club Dog Show and Trials!

Come on down and say hello, and ask us anything you want to know about the CVSDU, our PTSD Service Dogs and how we help veterans and first responders living with PTSD.

Event link: https://fb.me/e/1ZehVEbWI

22/05/2024

Looking to plan your summer activities?

Why not take in a good ol' Tractor Jam! We're delighted to have been invited as one the beneficiaries of this amazing event, hosted by Stanley's Olde Maple Lane Farm

17/05/2024

Thank you to for choosing us to participate in your Charity Beer Program! We’re so thankful for the support. 🍻🤩

16/05/2024

We are featured in Legion Magazine! 😊

“Explore Sandy’s heartfelt testimony about Mandy in the full article at the provided link:

https://legionmagazine.com/the-dogs-of-postwar/

If you subscribe to the The Royal Canadian Legion - National Headquarters Legion Magazine, you’ll want to pay special attention to pages 32-38 of the May-June edition;

A big THANK YOU to Paige Gilmar for her insightful writing, and to our members who contributed their stories.

14/05/2024

Check out our friends at The Ottawa Kennel Club's new website!

🎉 https://ottawakennelclub.ca/
Watch Me! 🐾 Bookmark Me! 🐾 Share Me!

12/05/2024

2024 RIDE for Disabled VETS- THANK YOU!

We want to extend a very warm thank you to OJ Gallant, his crew, the volunteers, and everyone who came out yesterday for the 2024 RIDE for Disabled VETS.

We got a couple quick showers, but overall everyone who came by said they had a great ride! The hotdogs and burgers provided by Brown's Your Independent Grocer were a big hit!

It's the support of the community that allows organizations like ours to continue to do the work we do, and we are sincerely grateful to have been chosen as this year's RIDE beneficiaries.

📸 credit: Andrew Smith & Josée Lavoie

06/05/2024

CVSDU featured in Legion Magazine

If you subscribe to the The Royal Canadian Legion - National Headquarters Legion Magazine, you’ll want to pay special attention to pages 32-38 of the May-June edition; we have the honour of being featured in a wonderfully written article showcasing the unit.

The fact that this publication is nationwide will mean a big boost in exposure for the CVSDU, for which we are sincerely grateful!

Thanks to Paige Gilmar for the insightful lines, and to our members who contributed their stories.

You can also read it online here: https://legionmagazine.com/the-dogs-of-postwar/

01/05/2024

Did you know? May 1st is recognized as First Responders Day in Canada, commemorating the establishment of North America's first ambulance service in 1865. Today, we celebrate the bravery and dedication of our heroes. Our specialized training offers crucial support to frontline responders. Join us in honoring our commitment and the enduring bond between man and dog.

29/04/2024

THANK YOU!

We are so grateful to B.A. Machine Performance Cycles and humbled for this donation.

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MERCI !

Nous sommes tellement reconnaissants et touchés par ce don.

23/04/2024

Our trained dogs provide essential emotional support to veterans and first responders with PTSD. Here's how you can help us at the Canadian Veteran Service Dog Unit:

Donate: Your contributions fund crucial training and support for veterans and first responders.

Attend Events: Stay informed about our activities and support us by participating.

Link to website to for more info. : https://cvsdu.ca/

Your support means the world to our heroes. Thank you for standing with us.

17/04/2024

This is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (NPSTW), also commonly known as Communicator Appreciation Week (CAW).

Every year during the second week of April, the telecommunications personnel in the public safety community, are honoured.

This week-long event is a time to celebrate and thank those who dedicate their lives to serving the public from behind the scenes. It is a week that should be set aside so everyone can be made aware of their hard work and dedication.

Call-takers and dispatchers do the following things, every single day:

• Talking calmly to callers, in order to get as much pertinent information as possible, even though callers are quite often experiencing the worst moments of their lives, often begging and screaming for help

• Making split second decisions as to which resources to send, based on the nature of the call and resource availability in the area

• Staying on the line so no one suffers alone.

• Reassuring frantic parents whose
child is missing that they'll be found.

• Reassuring frantic callers whose loved one is hurting that help is on the way.

• Calming the victim of a break and enter in progress, promising help is on the way

• Coaching people through CPR and Artificial Respiration

• Hearing sounds like screams, crashes and gunshots, and replaying those sounds in their minds years after events have passed.

• Going home to their own families, and trying not to bring the day’s work home with them.

The next time you speak to a dispatcher, take the time to thank them.

11/04/2024

🥳 HAPPY BIRTHDAY SPARTAN!

Remember this little nugget? Spartan, aka Spartypants, turns 1 today! The latest photo is her during a public access training last week.

Spartan came to the unit thanks to a generous sponsorship from Spartan Delta Corporation, and is well on her way to becoming a great partner to a deserving recipient.
🥳 JOYEUX ANNIVERSAIRE SPARTAN !

Vous vous souvenez de cette petite pépite ? Spartan, surnommée Spartypants, fête ses 1 an aujourd'hui ! La dernière photo la représente lors d'un entraînement d'accès public la semaine dernière.

Spartan a rejoint l'unité grâce à un généreux parrainage de Spartan Delta Corporation, et elle est bien partie pour devenir une partenaire de choix pour un bénéficiaire méritant.

10/04/2024

Miracle of Love: The Story of an Afghan Boy and a Service Dog

Our own Sandy Scott will be the guest speaker for tomorrow's presentation from the University of Saskatchewan's department of Psychology and Health Studies.

You can still register to watch via Zoom here: https://usask-ca.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEtc-6vqDorE9H3tkmqbLSgL3kRfzGV55AM #/registration

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Un de nos membres, Sandy Scott, sera l'invité du département de psychologie et d'études sur la santé de l'Université de Saskatchewan pour la présentation de demain.

Vous pouvez encore vous inscrire pour assister à la présentation via Zoom à l'adresse indiquée sur l’affiche. La présentation se déroulera en anglais.

09/04/2024

27/03/2024

As we approach the end of March, we want to remind you of the incredible opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of our brave veterans through the Make It Monthly initiative. The Canadian Veteran Service Dog Unit (CVSDU), in coordination with CanadaHelps, is urging you to take advantage of this limited-time offer before it's too late.

The CVSDU has been tirelessly dedicated to providing service dogs to injured veterans, police, firefighters, paramedics, corrections officers, and first responders, free of charge. Through our rigorous training programs and ongoing support, we've formed 35 strong service dog teams, with 20 more on our waiting list eagerly awaiting their turn for assistance.

With your help, we can continue this vital mission and ensure that every deserving individual receives the support they need. Here's how you can make a difference:

Make It Monthly: Double Your Impact
Throughout March, CanadaHelps is generously contributing an extra $20 for each NEW monthly donation of $20 or more to CVSDU. This means that your contribution will go even further in supporting our cause. But that's not all - we've also received an incredible pledge from an anonymous couple who will match all new monthly donations in 2024, up to a total of $20,000!

Join Paw Partners Monthly Giving Program
By becoming a Paw Partner through our monthly giving program, you'll not only provide consistent support for our veterans and their service dogs, but you'll also receive exclusive updates and stories from the CVSDU family. Plus, your donation will automatically be doubled this month, thanks to the generous matching pledge.

Act Now: Time is Running Out
Don't miss this chance to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who have served our country selflessly. Whether you're a long-time supporter or considering joining us for the first time, there's no better moment to show your commitment to our veterans.

Click here - https://cvsdu.ca/index.php/ways-to-give-new to make your contribution today and ensure that our veterans receive the assistance they deserve. Together, we can make a lasting impact.