Canine Retiring
June 26, 2020
A long-serving and furry member of the Ministry of Environment has retired from Conservation Officer duties.
Jaks, a Conservation Officer Service Dog, will be hanging up his collar after an eight-year career.
His handler, Conservation Officer Cpl. Jamie Chartrand, said the 10-year-old Belgium Malinois helped officers with hundreds of investigations.
Jaks’ knack for locating evidence led the ministry and other law enforcement agencies to numerous criminal convictions and fines totalling tens of thousands of dollars.
“One of his favorite parts of the job was tracking,” Chartrand said. “Jaks tracked down numerous criminals during his career. This is often the most dangerous part of the job.”
Chartrand and Jaks also helped educate the public about the use of natural resources at community events, presentations and school visits.
A multiple award-winning canine, Jaks won numerous accolades at the Canadian Police Canine Championships in Alberta, including fourth and second place finishes in the top dog category.
Although he will be off the clock, Jaks has been adopted by Cpl. Chartrand so the pair will be continuing their adventures together.
Jaks is being replaced by a young female German Shepard name Tai, who has recently completed her training.
10-year-old Jaks (left) will be replaced by a young German Shepard named Tai (right).
Most Recent News
Former Victoria man’s diabetic alert dog helps him get back to life
When Luke Hengen’s diabetes worsened in his early twenties, it stripped him of the outdoor activities where the country kid felt at home. Countless wilderness adventures and years of hard-fought football games took a toll on his body, to the point where he could no longer sense when his blood sugar was too high or […]
Students Get Therapy Dog
When middle school students return to class on Jan. 11, they’ll find a new face at the door: Daisy. Daisy is a therapy dog and the personal pet of Rob Kreger, principal of the Rock L. Butler Middle School. The five-year-old golden retriever is not a school pet or mascot, but rather a working dog […]
Therapy Dogtor
Last March, Caroline Benzel, a third-year medical student, began to notice the stress and discomfort her nurse friends were feeling from the pressures of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. “[Personal protective equipment] can be really rough on the skin,” Benzel, 31, tells PEOPLE. Benzel and her 3-year-old Rottweiler, Loki (who’s also a therapy dog) hatched a […]
Therapy Dog Pups
When Stanley the miniature fox terrier’s owner passed away, the little dog started a ‘paw-some’ new role – bringing puppy love to some of the Gold Coast’s oldest residents. After Carinity Cedarbrook Diversional Therapist Julianne Staff adopted Stanley, he began visiting the aged care community at Mudgeeraba as a therapy dog. Therapy dogs help to […]
Puppy Cams
A nonprofit is providing an unusual form of therapy for those on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic – puppy cams! “You spend five minutes with a puppy and try not to smile,” said registered nurse Robin Lingg Lagrone. Lingg Lagrone says watching little furballs wag their tails and prance on their paws helps […]
Pet Committee
When Moore County’s school doors were abruptly closed earlier in 2020, two- and four-legged volunteers from the Moore County Citizens’ Pet Responsibility Committee (PRC) were in their 12th year of presenting a six-session Pet Responsibility Education Program for fourth-graders. The PRC quickly shifted gears and placed its program materials online as part of a home […]