What Brady Does

Brady will spend much time in family rooms and interview rooms at the CYAC, providing invaluable support to vulnerable children and youth. For the young people, it’s one of their first steps on a journey of healing and moving forward from their trauma. These meetings can range in length from one hour to six hours or more!

As each young person meets with one of our system navigators and participates in a forensic interview with a police officer or child protection worker, the importance of them being genuinely heard as they share what happened cannot be overstated. This process supports not only their personal sense of wellbeing, but also the pursuit of justice.

We anticipate Brady will assist in this process happening as smoothly as possible for upwards of 100 young people at the CYAC in his first year alone. At all times, the child has the decision-making power over how Brady performs his role – whether that means he’s sitting or lying beside them, sharing a paw or being petted, or simply in the room.

Brady’s Impact

Brady is a significant enhancement to our service and comes at a time when accredited facility dogs are now being widely recognized for their positive impact in CYACs across Canada. Brady’s warm, gentle, and calming presence will work wonders to help change the atmosphere in these otherwise serious and even intimating situations.

While our system navigators have always helped by providing self-regulation and calming techniques, Brady will further reduce stress and anxiety levels with his friendly and non-judgmental demeanour. Other benefits he brings to his role include:

• Wonderful comfort and connection in tough moments.
• Emotional support through cuddles and quiet companionship.
• A positive association with the CYAC and all who work there.
• Fostering positive mental health for clients and staff navigating trauma.
• Helping to draw our healthy emotions, and maybe even the odd smile!

All of this increased sense of safety goes towards making it easier for children and youth to share their stories of what happened to them – which is what we want to facilitate in the best way we possibly can. Brady is going to make a huge difference for so many brave young survivors and everyone around him. We are all so very grateful for that!