'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
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
Full parole granted to man convicted in notorious 'McDonald's murders' in Cape Breton
The Parole Board of Canada has granted full parole to one of three men convicted in the brutal murders of three McDonald's restaurant workers in Cape Breton more than 30 years ago.
Incident on Calgary's Reconciliation Bridge comes to safe resolution
Nearly 20 hours after a man climbed and remained perched on top of the Reconciliation Bridge in downtown Calgary, the situation came to a peaceful resolution.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.