Court-system canine helps put kids at ease (The Baltimore Sun)

Court therapy dog fills need

Editorial
Originally published by The Centre Daily, October 5, 2009

A German shepherd named Vachss led the way in courthouse therapy, comforting children when they testified in abuse cases in Jackson, Miss., in the 1990s.

In 1994 Vachss was named Hero of the Year in for his role, according to report in the American Bar Association’s GPSolo magazine, and the success of his work led other courthouses around the country to consider therapy dogs.

This great program has arrived in Centre County, with the introduction of a courthouse canine to work with the District Attorney’s Office and help ease stress on child victims.

Sophie, the family dog of veterinarian Fred Metzger, is the temporary dog while the permanent one is going through training and expected to start work in six months. Victim witness advocate Faith Burger will care for her and bring her to the courthouse each day.

The county becomes the first in Pennsylvania with a therapy dog, an initiative of Judge Bradley P. Lunsford and Burger. “I just remember as a prosecutor, the difficulties that child victims encountered in the system,” Lunsford said. “I wish I had this tool back then. This will help to prevent the revictimization of children who are victims of crime.”

Sophie — and the next dog — will offer comfort, compassion and affection to the youngest victims, working with them from the start of a case through the trial.

No doubt they will spark smiles at critical times. County court officials should be applauded for recognizing the need and bringing a dog to Bellefonte.

© Copyright 2009 The Centre Daily