May 5, 2025
Gentle Gabe, and his handler and roommate, Susan Leavitt, stop by Red Deer’s Step Up Step Down program several times a week. Photo by Heather Kipling.
Story by Jonathan Koch | Photo by Heather Kipling
RED DEER — A furry four-legged friend is helping central Alberta teens heal and grow.
Gabe, a two-year-old black lab/golden retriever mix, is the newest member of the Step Up Step Down team. This Recovery Alberta program offers live-in and outpatient options at Sheldon Kennedy Centre of Excellence in Red Deer to support youth aged 13 to 17 who have significant mental health, or mental health and addiction challenges.
A graduate of the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides program, Gabe is a gentle playmate who offers a soft cuddle and a calming presence for children and youth with a variety of emotions and needs.
"Gabe is just an absolute source of joy and light in the facility,” says Amy Klimosko, director of Child, Youth, and Family Mental Health and Addiction for Central Zone.
“You will hear amazing stories from the staff about how sometimes they talk through Gabe to the kids because it's easier for the kids to talk to the dog than to adults,” adds Klimosko.
"We have two children right now who struggle with expressing themselves verbally, but when they pet Gabe, or he lays down right beside them and puts gentle pressure on them, they find their voices and are able to communicate through Gabe.”
The Rimbey / Blindman Valley and Regina (SK) Lakeside Lions Clubs generously donated $35,000 to cover the costs of raising and training Gabe. The two clubs also covered the additional expense of sending mental health aide dog handlers Susan Leavitt and Danielle Haessel to train alongside Gabe at the Lions Foundation dog training facility in Oakville, ON.
Gabe now lives with Leavitt, and the duo visit the facility several days a week to play games, learn new tricks and support youth who are feeling upset or having difficulty staying focused during classroom sessions.
"We had one youth who was quite upset, so Gabe went in with her and she thought, ‘I wonder what Gabe would say to me?’” says Leavitt. “After some discussion, she said, ‘Oh, I think Gabe would tell me that he's come from far away, and left his family and everything that he knows, and he's made it through — so if he’s got the strength to do it, I think that I do, too.’”
Step Up Step Down manager, Holly Maddex, says having a support dog is the fulfillment of a dream for youth in the program.
“Having Gabe around brightens their day,” says Maddex. “Right away we noticed a difference, even with just Sue and Gabe walking through the door together, the youth know it's a different safe space for them and it's an alternative coping mechanism that can also be offered.”
Youth enrolled in the program say Gabe has become part of the family.
“I love to have an amazing support like Gabe to pet and use as a stress reliever in anxiety-inducing situations,” says Finley. “When I’m having a bad day, he’s always there wagging his tail and smiling. It brings up my mood — he is amazing.”
Regan adds that Gabe excels at walks and fetch and is one of the best dogs she has ever met.
“His presence in group helps calm me down while talking about sensitive topics. When I get emotional, Gabe lays his head on my lap. It’s very comforting.”
“I have always loved all dogs, but Gabe is special to me,” says Nana. “When I’m feeling upset or anxious, he’s always there to make me feel better, most times by sliding along the floors.
“I am grateful we get an opportunity to spend time with Gabe because he always makes me smile and laugh."
