There When People Need Them Most. Every day, members of the Vancouver Police Department encounter people facing some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
The circumstances may be different, but the need is often the same: protection. Sometimes that protection comes in the form of courage. Sometimes it comes in the form of comfort. And sometimes it comes on four legs.
With the support of generous donors, the Vancouver Police Foundation helps provide critical resources for the extraordinary canine teams within the Vancouver Police Department. One helps keep our city safe by locating dangerous offenders, supporting high-risk police operations, and protecting officers in the field. The other helps victims, witnesses, and police personnel navigate the emotional aftermath of trauma and tragedy.
Protecting Vancouver Through Courage: When a violent offender is on the run, every minute matters.
When a suspect disappears into a neighbourhood, officers must act quickly to protect the public and bring the situation
to a safe resolution.
This is where the VPD’s K9 Unit plays a vital role. As the oldest municipal police dog unit in Canada, and comprised of highly trained Police Service Dogs and their handlers,
the K9 Unit responds to more than 7,000 calls each year. These teams help locate dangerous suspects, recover evidence, support tactical operations, detect narcotics and explosives, and assist in the search for vulnerable people who may be at risk.
Their capabilities extend far beyond what human officers can accomplish alone. With extraordinary scenting abilities, speed, agility, and specialized training, police service dogs can track individuals across large areas, search buildings, and locate suspects in situations where time is critical. In many cases, they are the first to encounter danger.
Protecting People Through Comfort: Victims of crime, witnesses to traumatic events, grieving families, and even police personnel can carry emotional burdens long after an incident has ended.
For many, navigating the criminal justice system can feel overwhelming. Telling their story, facing an accused person in court, or reliving traumatic events can be as difficult as the original experience itself.
This is where the VPD’s canine support animals provide something equally important: comfort, connection, and emotional safety.
These specially trained dogs work alongside members of Victim Services, the Employee Wellness Unit, and specialized investigative teams. They support victims and witnesses through court proceedings, assist individuals affected by traumatic incidents, provide comfort to employees exposed to disturbing case materials, and help create a sense of calm during some of life’s most difficult moments.
Supporting Every Stage of Service: While their roles may be different, both the K9 Unit and canine support animals have one thing in common: their impact depends on specialized training, equipment, and ongoing support.
he Vancouver Police Foundation helps ensure these remarkable animals have access to resources beyond the scope of core operating budgets.
For the K9 Unit, donor support helps fund specialized training opportunities, facilities, safety equipment, and other enhancements that allow teams to maintain the highest standards of operational readiness. The Foundation also provides support for veterinary care following retirement, recognizing that years of service can leave these dogs with unique health needs.
For canine support animals, donor support helps make it possible to acquire these purpose-trained dogs and establishes retirement funding. Simply put, these dogs cannot join the VPD until the necessary funding is in place.
Your generosity makes that possible.
A Safer, Stronger, More Compassionate Vancouver. Every day, these extraordinary dogs help protect our city in ways most people never see.