Edmonton Police Service welcomes Blaise, Alberta’s first Operational Stress Intervention Dog
By Juliane Bodini on April 20, 2025
Blaise is a two-year-old Labrador Retriever who officially joined the Edmonton Police Service, Alberta’s first Operational Stress Intervention Dog.
Blaise was introduced at a news conference, where interim Chief Warren Driechel, Wounded Warriors Canada representatives, and guide dog specialists from B.C. and Alberta Guide Dogs were present.
“Unlike the other service dogs who are trained to catch criminals, Blaise specializes in providing emotional support, stress relief, and just a little extra coverage for our employees,” says Interim Chief Warren Driechel.
After being selected for his calm temperament and emotional intuition, Blaise underwent specialized training to provide comfort and stress relief to officers and staff.
The dog was trained to recognize signs of agitation and emotional disturb in people. His handlers have worked with him to prepare for his role for two and a half years, from Monday to Friday, until he was ready to become a new EPS employee.
The initiative is a partnership between the Edmonton Police Service and Wounded Warriors Canada, and it was made possible through donations.
With this collaboration, EPS becomes the first police organization in Alberta to introduce an Operational Stress Intervention Dog. Blaise was selected and trained by BC & Alberta Guide Dogs, an organization known for its expertise in training service dogs.
“We are very thankful that we are partnered with the Edmonton Police, and the reason partnerships are important is because partnerships make programs and everything else possible, and the beautiful dog is one of the biggest solutions when it comes to mental health and well-being,” says Wounded Warriors Canada Director of Health Services Philip Ralph.
- Blaise offers a way to support officers, helping them recover after a challenging or traumatic call.
- His ability to sense emotional situations makes him a valuable presence within the staff at the EPS.
- As the first service dog in an Albertan organization, Blaise’s job is to support employees when facing tough times.
“The other day he was in my office and the first thing he did was to come and sit down on my foot, we know the smallest gestures can have the biggest impact and sometimes a wagging tail and a quiet moment can be just what someone needs to rest and recharge,” says Driechel.
The cute Labrador quickly became a popular character within the Edmonton Police Service. “It’s been really amazing for the last two weeks that we’ve had him here to be training, and the positive effects here at EPS,” says Const. David Klein.
Cucumbers are Blaise’s favorite treat when it comes to snacks. “As soon as I say cucumbers he stirs, usually he starts to drool to see who has cucumber,” says Klein.
Blaise’s arrival is essential in EPS’s focus on staff well-being. EPS hopes that Blaise’s success will inspire other organizations to support their teams in a similar way.