Zebra Child Protection Centre Welcomes New Facility Dog to VIP Program

In partnership with Ladies on the Green, Cajun, joins the Zebra Centre

The Zebra Child Protection Centre is proud to welcome Cajun to our Multidisciplinary Team in partnership with Ladies on the Green. Cajun is an Accredited Facility Dog trained by Dogs with Wings Assistance Dog Society and joins our Very Important Paws (VIP) Team alongside Fletcher and Captain.

In 2021, the Zebra Centre supported 3,844 children and youth in the Edmonton area. The VIP Program plays a key role to our multidisciplinary approach by utilizing our Facility Dogs’ expert calming and cuddling abilities to give comfort to children and youth as they move along their healing journey. In 2021, the VIP team met with children and youth 622 times to lend support within the Zebra Centre, during their forensic interviews and through judicial proceedings at Edmonton Law Courts.

“We are so excited and thankful to have Cajun join our VIP Program! Facility Dogs provide unique support and comfort that no human can offer, and they are an integral part of our multidisciplinary team that works to provide support and services for children and youth who have been impacted by abuse. Our Facility Dogs work hard to remind children and youth of their bravery as they tell their story and we are so grateful to have Cajun join our team to do this important work. This wouldn’t be possible without the support of our community, thank you so much to Ladies on the Green, for helping make this possible!” says Emmy Stuebing, CEO, Zebra Child Protection Centre.

Cajun’s position within our VIP Program is sponsored by Ladies on the Green Golf Classic. Ladies on the Green is a unique golf event where golf if not the driving factor, making a difference within the community is why they all gather in celebration and support of the Zebra Centre! Their generous contributions have helped to fund our Court Supports, Trauma Treatment Service, VIP Program and our Backpack Program.

“The Ladies on the Green community is thrilled to welcome Cajun to the Zebra Child Protection Centre team. We knew that directing funds raised through our event to support a new recruit for the VIP Program was essential. As the caseload continues to rise at the Centre, Cajun is needed more

than ever. Facility dogs offer children comfort, empathy and unconditional support in some of their most difficult moments,” says Emma Wynters and Carri Boulton, co-founders of Ladies on the Green.

Cajun’s role as a Facility Dog will be providing support and comfort to children, youth, and their non- offending caregivers while they visit our Centre and at Edmonton Law Courts within the child-friendly waiting rooms and, on the stand, as they testify against the accused. He will be alongside them to empower and celebrate their bravery as they use their voice to tell their story.

"Dogs with Wings is proud to place Cajun, our third Facility Dog, with the Zebra Child Protection Centre, knowing Cajun will be of service to children and youth in need of support and protection", said CEO Miranda Jordan-Smith. "We value our partnership with the Zebra Centre and commend them for adding another Facility Dog to their agency, recognizing the value and vital companionship Cajun will provide as children and youth courageously share their stories."

Cajun’s Biography

Dogs with Wings Assistance Dog Society has selected Cajun, a 2-year-old, black Labrador Retriever to be placed with the Zebra Centre in March of 2022. Cajun has undertaken intensive training at Dogs with Wings to be placed as a Facility Dog.

Cajun began training for this career when he was three days old! He was born on February 25th, 2020. He joined our Edmonton puppy raising program when he was 10 weeks old and attended weekly puppy training classes until he was 16 months old. When Cajun was 16 months old, he began his advanced training to become a Facility Dog. Cajun excelled in his advanced training and aced all of his behavior and health testing to be placed as a Facility Dog!

When Cajun isn’t working hard on his skills and training, he enjoys long naps snuggled up next to you, running at the dog park (bonus points if there are friends to play with) and his favourite snack is peanut butter and yogurt treats. Cajun is a sweet, goofy, active boy who loves to snuggle and bring a smile to your face. Cajun will be a perfect match to bring comfort and love to the people who need him the most. We know he will be a perfect match for the Zebra Centre and the work that they do!

In March 2022, the Zebra Centre handlers undertook Team Training where they worked hands on with Cajun for a week with Dogs with Wings skilled staff. As a Victim Services Facility Dog, some of Cajun’s responsibilities will include forensic interviews, supporting children and youth at the Centre, court support, support to staff and community partners, community events, and much more.