The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has released its 2024 canine unit calendar to raise money for the OPP Youth Foundation and Friends of The OPP Museum.
More than 50 police service dogs and their 33 handlers serve the OPP in various ways, including search and rescue, narcotics detection, suspect apprehension, and firearms, explosives, and physical evidence search and detection.
Canine unit members also provide community engagement at local events and safety demonstrations. During the calendar’s launch event, children from the Mnjikaning Kendaaswin Elementary School in Orillia enjoyed a demonstration featuring members of the canine unit.
The 2024 calendar showcases 12 police service dogs from across Ontario, including photos, age, breed, specialty, location, and a brief description.
This year’s cover model features Aaron, a four-year-old Belgian Malinois who was the winner of the obedience category at the 2023 Canadian Police Canine Association’s National Police Dog Competition. Embedded in the OPP Tactics and Rescue Unit, Aaron is deployed with his handler to support high-risk incidents.
The calendar’s 12 dogs also include Hopper (April),a two-year-old yellow lab whose speciality is search and rescue, and Rico (December), a six-year-old Malinois-shepherd mix who is a general service dog.
Each calendar costs $15 and can be purchased online at www.oppshop.on.ca or in person at the OPP Off Duty Shop at 777 Memorial Avenue in Orillia.
All proceeds go to the OPP Youth Foundation, which provides funds to disadvantaged youth throughout the province of Ontario, and The Friends of The OPP Museum, a volunteer-based charitable organization that supports, promotes, and assists in the preservation of the history of the OPP.
Last year’s calendar sales raised more than $32,800 for the two organizations.
