B.C.'s overdose crisis: Meet the 'hero' dog saving people's lives
When Trey Helten was given a puppy as a gift, he had no idea his new four-legged friend, Zelda, would eventually learn to help save people’s lives.
“She’s a three-year-old pitbull-mastiff cross and she’s a hero,” Helten said.
Helten manages the Overdose Prevention Society, a safe injection site in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside that monitors drug users. Zelda has been a regular fixture at the society since she was a puppy.
“She mostly keeps people in check. When there’s fights happening she stops those from happening, she’ll bark, let her presence be known," Helten said.
Zelda is now three years old and has learned how to keep an eye on people. Growing up at the centre, she’s watched Helten walk around and check on people using drugs at the tables.
Recently, she’s started doing it on her own.
Last week, security cameras captured her nudging a man who wasn’t moving. When she didn’t get a response, she bumped him again in the back until she saw movement.
“I had to check the CCTV footage up close. It was pretty shocking, heartwarming,” Helten said. “She’ll walk in a circle and she’ll check if someone’s unconscious. Sometimes she likes to go straight for the face – they’ll get the cold, wet dog nose right to the face if they don’t respond.”
And if there’s an issue, Zelda will make it known. Helten says she once spotted someone behind his van who was overdosing.
“She started alerting staff by barking and wouldn’t stop until someone went back there and checked and this person probably would have died if it wasn’t for the dog, 100 per cent,” he said.
Clients who have been coming to OPS have now formed strong bonds with Zelda. One bond in particular has been life saving, according to Helten.
“One day (the client) was feeling suicidal and Zelda snuggled with him and he says that if it wasn’t for that, that he would have done something stupid,” Helten said, with tears welling in his eyes.
Figures released this week reveal B.C.’s overdose crisis is showing no signs of slowing down. The latest update from the province's chief coroner includes 184 deaths in the month of July, making it B.C.'s second-deadliest month in the years-long crisis.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
NEW Iconic Canadian song turns 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
Flat tire on a highway? Here's why you shouldn't try to fix it
If you're cruising down a highway and realize you have a flat tire, you may want to think twice before stopping to fix it on the side of the road.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
NEW How Canadians can watch the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest
Europe’s top pop stars are out and about for the 68th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, taking place in Malmo, Sweden.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.