His name is Wicket.

Wicket is many things. He’s a fluffy, obedient three-year-old golden retriever. He’s got big, soft eyes and a calm — and calming — demeanour. But most importantly, he helps people get through some of the most difficult moments in their lives.

His name is Wicket. And he’s a trauma dog.

“He has a grounding effect,” said Christine Wagenaar, executive director of Ranchland Victim Services and Wicket’s handler. “He visits young or vulnerable victims at just lays at their feet.”

Wicket is available 24 hours a day to help in this or any number of ways. Sometimes when victims have to give statements to police or testify in court, Wicket will be there.

Originally trained to be a guide dog for the visually impaired, Wicket was found to be better suited to be a trauma dog. He was trained in through an organization called Very Special Paws which end up placing dogs in the criminal justice system for the express purpose of aiding the vulnerable during traumatic situations.

“You can’t even describe the effect he has,” Wagenaar said. “It’s far exceeded anyone’s expectations.”

Wicket operates in communities that stretch between the Crowsnest Pass all the way to Fort Macleod and in between. The original donation for the funding required to purchase Wicket came from the Lethbridge Community Foundation, but since then, the local communities have stepped in to help keep the momentum of the program moving ahead.

There have been donations from the Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) organizations in the Crowsnest Pass and Pincher Creek, and a recent donation from Shell Waterton.

Wicket has become a bit of a minor celebrity in the communities as well. He has his own Facebook profile and people are recognizing the work that he’s done in helping support victims the world over.

“People are becoming more knowledge and respectful,” Wagenaar said. “Wicket is very in tune with peoples’ emotions. He can go into a room and know who needs him.”

His name is Wicket. He’s a fluffy, obedient three-year-old golden retriever and a dog who helps people get through the worst days of their lives.

And he is a very, very good boy.