Training Partnership: A first in St-Basile

Jun 22, 2022

The Edmundston Police Force, in partnership with Scouts de St-Basile Inc., developed a training course to teach young people how to take good care of their pets, focusing above all on preventing dog bites.

A complete theoretical and practical training course was developed by the Edmundston Police Force, in response to a need identified by Scouts de St-Basile Inc. It was offered to the scouts by Constable Schelling and his dog Hercles. This is a very first training-partnership that doesn’t exist anywhere else.

At the end of the training, the kids were able to demonstrate what they had learned to their parents. Edmundston Police Force Chief Steve Robinson then awarded them with an official program crest. “Receiving this crest means a lot to those kids. It shows they were able to put theory into practice and live an experience with the service dog. During the summer, I may do demonstrations and the scouts could be invited to lend a hand, because they already know what to do," said Constable Schelling, who has expertise in this area.

For his part, Police Force Chief Steve Robinson believes that the community is fortunate to be able to count on Constable Schelling’s expertise. “Not all police forces have this chance. It's also nice to see such a partnership between Scouts de St-Basile and the Edmundston Police Force. In addition to prevent young people from getting bit or injured, this initiative helps to bring young people and the police closer together,” he concludes.

Proud of this initiative, Mr. Yvan Pelletier, Scouts de St-Basile Inc. President, took the opportunity to adopt a new member within the organization, no other than service dog Hercles, who received the official Scout Movement scarf.

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CONTACT: Edmundston Police Force, 506.739.2100