MEET TEAM Link II

Paw-tners in Positivity

Link was bursting with excitement to start his new job at the Chinook Child and Youth Advocacy Centre (CCYAC). As a program of the Chinook Sexual Assault Centre, the CCYAC supports children, youth, and their non-offending caregivers who have been impacted by child abuse as they moveโ€ฏfrom the investigationโ€ฏthroughโ€ฏtoโ€ฏthe criminal justice system.โ€ฏย 

Link has been spending a lot of time with the kids before their forensic interviews,โ€ฏwhile they areโ€ฏmeeting with Crown Prosecutors, and laying with them as they learn new grounding techniques to help them feel calm. His presence has a remarkable calming effect and children who arrive anxious or fearful often begin to smile, speak, or engage more easily after spending just a few minutes with him. We canโ€™t wait to see him join the kids during their forensic interviews or court proceedings โ€“ whether itโ€™s at our Centre or the local courthouse.ย 

Linkโ€™s a social butterfly who loves to visit, but his favourite people to meet are the kids and youth who come to our Centre. Itโ€™s so heartwarming to see their faces light up when Link enters the room with a happy tail, ready to spend time with them.ย 

When he isnโ€™t spending time with the kids, he happily attends various meetings with me, my colleagues, and other service providers. He never fails to bring a smile to peopleโ€™s faces when his tail starts wagging as he naps under the table.ย 

Link is truly my โ€œpawโ€-tner, and heโ€™ll follow me wherever I go โ€“ even if Iโ€™m just walking from my kitchen to my living room in the evenings. I couldnโ€™t have asked for a better shadow. His goofy, calm personality makes every day a little brighter.ย 

My workplace and I are so grateful to PADS and everyone who helped shape Link into who he is. He takes each day with a positive attitude, a willingness to listen, and an eagerness to learn and help. PADS has made it possible for us to make even easier what might be the hardest time in a childโ€™s life, and for that, we cannot thank you enough. Itโ€™s so deeply appreciated.ย 

– Baylee, Link II’s Handler