From snuggles to playing games, Darwin the dog offers 'calm in the chaos' at this N.S. crisis shelter

A two-year-old Labrador retriever mix is making himself at home at a Cape Breton, N.S., women's and children's shelter, and he's making Leeside Transition House feel more like home in the process.

Earlier this summer, the Port Hawkesburyshelterwelcomed Darwin, a facility support dog from the LionsFoundation of CanadaDog Guidesprogram withspecific training in dealing with trauma victims.

Prior to Darwin's arrival in Cape Breton, he went through 10 days of training with Leeside crisis counsellors Kelsee Burke and Julia Smythe at the LionsFoundation training centre in Oakville, Ont. The two women are now his official handlers at Leeside.

"When he smiles, he has a goofy smile, which brings smiles to everyone's faces," said Burke.

"You can't be sad when he looks at you the way he looks at you, and he smiles like that. So we're really fortunate to have him."

Specifically trained to offer different reactions to various personality types, Darwin is capable of offering emotional support that goes beyond the scope of Leeside'semployees. Thatranges from playing games with children to curling up with adults to watch television, and even offering a friendly hug.

"Dogs are non-judgmental, and a dog like Darwin can offer more support that humans can't," Burke said."He is a calm in the chaos."

That is especially true with children, who gravitate to Darwin as soon as they enter Leeside. Smythe has even seen children head right to Darwin's dog bed, curl up with him and play with his toys.

"It completely changes the whole experience, from the moment they walk in the door, and it makes the house feel more like a home for them," she said.

"He has very calm energy that he brings to the kids, and watching kids around him, they just calm right down as well and just want to snuggle up with him."

Police, court among Darwin's future duties

Darwin will see his role expand in the coming months.

His accreditation will give him the opportunity to work with police, support victims in court, and offer support during the debriefing process that follows critical incidents within Leeside's coverage area.

For now, Leeside officials are pleased with Darwin's early presence in the Port Hawkesbury facility.

As an example, Burke recalled the use of one of his tricks with a child at the shelter. She had encouraged the boy to ask Darwin to "tell me something," which prompted the dog to approach the child's ear.

"[The boy] said, 'Do you know what Darwin just told me? That he loves me and he's my best friend,'" Burke marvelled.

"A dog did that. A dog gave that young client a space to interact, and now he has a new best friend."