Vernon RCMP dog celebrates 5th birthday in the snow
Published 6:30 pm Friday, February 6, 2026
A four-legged and relied upon member of the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP celebrated a recent milestone with some fun in the snow.
Police Service Dog Phantom recently turned five years old, the RCMP said on social media Thursday, Feb. 5.
And what better way for a canine to celebrate their birthday than playing in the snow? Phantom spent his birthday working towards his avalanche search and rescue certification.
“He’s a pro in the field and vital to our team … but still still a puppy at heart,” the Vernon RCMP said. “Happy birthday Phantom!”
The RCMP has used police dogs since 1935. Since that time, police dogs have proven an invaluable asset to a wide range of investigations.
When a person is buried beneath metres of snow, avalanche rescue dogs are vital to rescue operations. Phantom’s training in the snow may lead to a life saved down the road.
RCMP Police Service Dogs track, search for and find missing people; locate people buried in an avalanche; search for human remains; track and capture suspects fleeing from police; support the Emergency Response Team with high-risk incidents; and assist investigators in locating evidence related to crimes, according to the RCMP.
Service Dog handlers require an average of five years of volunteer time before selection. It is one of the hardest sections to get into within the RCMP.
