Remembering Merlot: police service dog dies after long Regina career

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Police assistance dog Merlot has died at the age of 12 after a long career of bringing comfort to numerous victims and witnesses of traumatic events in Regina.

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Merlot had been diagnosed by a veterinarian with an aggressive form of cancer in early January before passing away on Jan. 17.

The black Labrador spent eight years with the Regina Police Service (RPS) before retiring in 2023. She is fondly remembered for helping thousands of children and adults through difficult times while working at the Regina Children’s Justice Centre, an integrated unit in which RPS, the health region and Crown prosecutor’s office respond to reports of child abuse.

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“Merlot leaves an immense emptiness in my heart and our home,” said her handler, Sgt. Tia Froh, in a social media post on Monday, adding that Merlot was by her side all hours of the day for nearly a decade.

“I know her presence will be missed in our city, province and across the country.”

Merlot was the first accredited facility dog to work for RPS and the first to be used in Saskatchewan courts — provincial, Court of King’s Bench and in remote testimony. She had a calming spirit, said Froh, who warmly recalled the times when Merlot would snore during quiet courtroom testimony and child forensic interviews.

“Merlot won over the hearts of everyone who met her with her deep brown eyes and caring old soul,” added Froh.

She began training at just eight weeks old with Pacific Assistance Dogs (PADS) in Burnaby, B.C. PADS breeds, raises and trains fully certified assistance dogs and is an accredited member of Assistance Dogs International (ADI). She spent two-and-a-half years in training before joining the RPS.

In a 2017 interview with the Leader-Post, Froh said dogs like Merlot help reduce a victim’s stress, which allows the person to relax more and, as a result, give better statements. While she brought comfort to many children, she also worked with adult victims and people with disabilities.

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In addition to all of Merlot’s training, Froh underwent an extensive process to take on the role of handler, including a written application to PADS, a phone interview and then more than a year’s wait for them to find a dog that was well suited to her own personality and lifestyle.

Merlot was a “beloved member” of the RPS team who worked “tirelessly” with Froh up until retirement, RPS said in a social media post Monday.

“While Merlot’s presence will be missed greatly, her legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched, and her unwavering care and devotion for those that were fortunate enough to know her,” the post continued.

Froh said Merlot was among only a handful of dogs used for comfort in the Canadian justice system. Her longtime handler thanked the RPS and everyone for their support of the program.

While in retirement, Merlot was active and playful with her sister Nelly — and often a Frisbee.

“I can only hope that she and Nelly have been reunited and are running around carefree together,” added Froh.

— with files from Jennifer Ackerman

nyking@postmedia.com

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