A Yukon dog is helping athletes at the Invictus Games in British Columbia this week.
Thorin — the Yukon’s first accredited facility dog — was one of the PADS pups selected to provide support to wounded, injured, or sick servicepeople competing at the games, said Ali Harper, Thorin’s handler and community commander with emergency services for YG. PADS refers to Pacific Assistance Dog Society.
PADS initially offered to create a team of 18 handlers and their dogs for the Invictus Games in November, said Harper. She put in an application that month, and heard back quickly.
“They knew that there was going to be opportunity for us to be in Whistler on the ski hill, and that supporting the events in Whistler. So they're like, well, Thorin’s used to the cold, so he'll be ready to go!” said Harper. They arrived in Vancouver for the games at the beginning of February.
Since then, Thorin has been supporting athletes and their families. They were at the opening ceremony, supporting athletes behind-the-scenes before they went out, and at the finish line of the ski course, said Harper.
“A lot of these athletes, for the reasons that they're here, loud noises, that sort of stuff, can bring on triggers for them. So we're there to support them with that, so that they can go out and they can be a part of the ceremonies and do the sports that they've been selected to do, and then obviously be there during the event if they have any overwhelming emotions,” said Harper.
During a Feb. 13 interview with the News, Harper recalled an athlete who was quite emotional after completing a ski run. Thorin and another PADS dog at the bottom of the ski hill helped to calm the athlete, said Harper.
“She was able to regain her senses and walk through the crowds and be so proud of herself for what she just did,” Harper said.
Thorin also offered comfort to a high-profile attendee of the Invictus Games: founder Prince Harry. Harry was attending a game of wheelchair basketball with wife Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, said Harper. Harry “looked straight at Thorin,” and then went to meet the dog, said Harper.
“It was probably only about a minute interaction, but in that minute interaction, Harry was able to speak to me just quickly in regards to how much he misses his dog at home,” said Harper. “This is his dog that him and Megan, unfortunately, just had to put down at the beginning of January. Thorin was really good and calm and, you know, just kind of did the eye-to-eye contact that he does real well with people.”
Harper said while meeting the prince was a cool experience, supporting athletes was the real reason she was at the games.
“I think it's just pretty amazing that we can represent the Yukon in this capacity,” said Harper. She added that she hopes it can help bring more light to Thorin’s role in the Yukon, and bring more PADS dogs to the territory.
Nicholle Ingalls, an EMS worker in Carmacks who works with Harper, said she was excited for her and Thorin. She said Harper has a tendency to hide her light under a bushel.
“She is out there representing Yukon, putting Yukon on the map, and nobody knows,” said Ingalls. She said that first responders in the territory who have worked with Harper are cheerleading her on and feeling incredibly proud of her.
Harper is currently paying for the trip herself: she said it was an endeavour she knew we do whatever the cost, because of how much she believes in the Invictus Games.
Harper said it’s been heartwarming to see the impact the animals are having on the athletes.
“I think it's just so special that we can be just a small part of their experience and their recovery,” said Harper, “and that's what the Invictus Games is all about, is being able to support the athletes and the families and their recovery moving forward because of whatever reason that they may be there.”
Contact Talar Stockton at talar.stockton@yukon-news.com
