Calgary police let the dogs out, releasing annual K9 Heroes calendar

Calgary police have let the dogs out,officially releasing their 13-month K9 Heroes calendar, showcasing the hard-working dogs of the CPScanine unit.

The launch event for the calendar washeldat Eighth Avenue Place downtown at noon Monday, and included a takedown demonstration by one of the dogs.

They're truly the heroes, they're the four-legged members of the Calgary Police Service.- Sgt. Jim Gourley

"They're truly the heroes, they're the four-legged members of the Calgary Police Service," saidSgt. Jim Gourley at the event.

"It continues to amaze me how well a dog can smell, and there is no technology that can replace that yet. We utilize that to help us solve crimes, to find people we would never find and to make it much safer when we need to apprehend them."

It's the seventh calendar of its kind released by the canine unit. As in previous years, proceeds from thesaleswill go towardsixorganizations funded by the Calgary Police Foundation that protect and educate youth.

"As well as bringing a smile to everyone who purchases, the calendarsbring much-needed funds for programs delivered by the Calgary Police Service," said Chief Mark Neufeld, who addressed the crowd gathered at the event.

Among that crowd were Holy Trinity School students who have benefited from the foundation's IntegratedSchool Support Program.

Susan Cron, executive director of the foundation, says the goal this yearis to raise $80,000 for the foundationthrough thisinitiative.

"Everybody loves the calendar, we're building quite a following," said Cron.

Inside the calendar's glossy pages are images of some of the 20 dogs in the unit, featured alongside their handlers, some hard at work sniffing out substances. Others are portrayeda bit morecomically. In one image, the dogs wear snow goggles and pose on a bobsled atCanada Olympic Park.

"The handlers see how best to showcase the dogs," saidCron.

"We have picturesthat take place across the different seasons, and we have the dogs doing different activities becausewe really want to showcase not just how beautiful they are, we want to showcase their skills."

The six organizations funded by the Calgary Police Foundationpartially through calendar sales are:

• YouthLink Calgary Police Interpretive Centre
• Youth at Risk Development Program (YARD)
• Multi Agency School Support Team
• Calgary Police Cadets Corps
• Power Play
• Integrated School Support Program

"[These programs] are available in Calgary for youth under 18 and provide resources and strategies to help them make better choices and follow different and more positive paths," said Neufeld.

The calendars can be bought in person at Safeway and Sobeys across the city for $12 apiece, or ordered online.

More information on the calendar and the portal to purchase it onlinecan be found here.