Jackson Antoniw is a five-year-old boy from Rossburn, Manitoba who came up with a winning name in the RCMP’s national Name the Puppy Contest. Jackson suggested the name Hector for one of the Potential Police Service Dogs (PPSD) born at the Police Dog Service Training Centre in Innisfail, Alberta. The name was chosen and one of the pups was designated Hector.
Left to right: Cst. Kevin Challoner and Hector with Jackson Antoniw and S/Sgt Matt Lavallee at Rossburn Elementary School.
There were 13 winners across Canada and each winner was presented with a photograph of the dog they named and a written letter from the Officer in Charge of Police Dog Services. For Jackson, there was a special addition to his prize package. On June 18, 2015, Hector’s trainer, Constable Kevin Challoner, and Hector, along with Staff Sergeant Matt Lavallee, Prairie Mountain Area Commander, and Corporal Steve Pike of Dauphin Police Dog Services, attended Rossburn Elementary School to present Jackson with his prize.
“Jackson actually got to meet Hector, which is an extremely rare circumstance,” said Cst. Challoner. “It’s not often a dog is stationed to the province in which it was named and then gets to meet the child who named him. It was a privilege to bring Hector to meet Jackson and see the smile on Jackson’s face. They really got along! It was a great moment.”
Jackson was able to share the moment with all his classmates as well as his family. Everyone got to meet Hector, who has now resumed his training with Cst. Challoner in Thompson.
