The Saskatchewan Government has declared this week Victims and Survivors of Crime Week - a time to think of those who have been victims, or are survivors of crime, and a time to thank the many service staff and volunteer victim support workers who help others in need.

Donna Blondeau is the Victim Services Coordinator and Handler with the Moose Jaw Police Service, but she doesnt work alone. Her partner Kane is a service dog with 2 and a half years of training from the Pacific Assistance Dogs Society in British Columbia, and is 1 of only 19 dogs in the country with this kind of training.

Blondeau described his role.

"Victims can pet him, they can talk to him, they can cry into his fur, they can do whatever is going to make them feel a little bit better - even for just a few moments. Hes been trained specifically for this, he has 2 and a half years obedience training through the accredited Pacific Assistants Dog Society."

We talked to Blondeau as well about the theme of the week, which is 'Transforming the Culture Together'. She told us what the theme means to her.

"Us as a community being able to be together and support each other, and to recognize some of the issues and concerns - to be there. To understand that we're all from different cultures and backgrounds, but we still are here to assist each other."

The Partners Against Violence Committee for Moose Jaw and District also hosted a luncheon on Wednesday with special guest Chief Radmus Delorme. The luncheon had over 110 guests with even some high school students coming to support the victim support workers and volunteers. Donna said it was a nice way to celebrate the week.

"It's important to recognize the volunteers I think as a priority, but it's also important to recognize the staff that put in the hours and do what they can to assist victims in the best way possible."