'He touched the hearts of many': Therapy puppy at N.B. fire department dies in his sleep
A beloved Labrador retriever puppy owned by a New Brunswick fire department has died.
Eight-week-old Murphy, the Riverview fire department’s “facility dog,” passed away in his sleep overnight Wednesday.
“In the short time he was with us, he touched the heart of many people in our community,” said Fire Chief Robin True in a news release.
Murphy joined the department two weeks ago as a therapy dog for firefighters.
The puppy was part of the facility dog program provided by Canine Therapy for First Responders Atlantic.
“Our support for the program is as strong as ever, and when the time is right, we will renew this program in Riverview,” said True.
“The Facility Dog program is a valuable part of the mental health support system for our First Responders, as Murphy taught us.”
Tracey Ryan, the president of Canine Therapy for First Responders Atlantic, says her team will work with veterinarians at the University of Prince Edward Island’s veterinary college to determine what caused Murphy’s death.
“Our hearts go out to Riverview Fire and Rescue, our handler’s families, and the entire Town as we mourn this special puppy,” said Ryan.
The Town of Riverview says mental health support will continue to be prioritized for its staff at this time.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
BREAKING London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Auston Matthews skates ahead of Game 7, status unclear with season on the line
Auston Matthews was back on the ice with his teammates Saturday.
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
Snakes almost on a plane: U.S. TSA discovers a bag with small snakes in passenger's pants
According to an X post by the Transportation Security Administration, officers at the Miami International Airport found the small bag of snakes hidden in a passenger's trousers on April 26 at a checkpoint.