Pet Therapy

I will call her Amber. She is 14-years-old and has been in the “system” since she was very young. Amber is wise beyond her years and has seen and experienced things no young lady should see, let alone experience. Amber’s mothers’ parental rights were terminated years ago. Amber doesn’t know her father. Amber has never found a “forever home” although, she remains in the dependency system waiting to be adopted.

Amber doesn’t necessarily want to be adopted. In fact, she wants to go home to her mom. She believes her mom is better now and they can have a good life together. Amber runs away. She runs away A LOT. She stays with older men while on the run and believes they love her and want to help her. She has used drugs for many years and cuts herself. Although Amber won’t acknowledge it, Amber is in grave danger while on the run. She is susceptible to human trafficking, sexual abuse and worse. She’s been told stories of other girls that have run away and never been seen or heard from again. She was just recently made aware of a young girl whose remains were found after suffering a violent end to her very young life. She appears to listen, although, it doesn’t appear that she’s ready to learn.

Amber trusts very few adults. She believes adults “tricked” her and her mother. As a result of the perceived trickery, she lingers in the “system” with no home and no one to love. Amber does, however, trust Ruby.

Ruby is certified pet therapy dog who has recently begun working in the Dependency Court of the 12th Judicial Circuit. I vividly recall the day Amber and Ruby met. Amber had just come off the run. She was able to contact Kate (her GAL volunteer, whom Amber DOES trust). Kate had a busy day with a full docket in dependency court the day Amber returned. Kate didn’t have any other options, and wanted to keep Amber close and safe. Kate brought Amber to court with her that day. Ruby was there too.

Ruby (her given name is “Ruby Begonia”) is a big, beautiful Bullmastiff. Ruby’s physical size may be considered intimidating to some. Not to Amber. Amber came into court that day, saw Ruby and immediately flopped down on the floor to sit with her. She sat on the floor for what seemed like hours. She snuggled with Ruby, rubbed Ruby’s back and appeared, from my perspective, at least, “at ease”. I wasn’t sure who was comforting whom … but I’m guessing Amber would say she was comforting Ruby. “At ease”… in a courtroom packed with strangers, with numerous challenging and emotional cases being called one after another throughout the day. Through it all, Amber and Ruby remained on the floor. Together. Comforting one another.

Amber ran again. She contacted Kate to come and get her. Once again, Amber was brought into the courtroom. Her name wasn’t on the docket that day either, but she had nowhere else to go. Ruby was there too. Amber and Ruby comforted one another, once again. Amber wanted to talk to the judge. She wanted Ruby to accompany her while she had this difficult talk with yet another adult. Most likely an adult Amber didn’t trust. Ruby accompanied Amber without hesitation. Ruby sat with Amber for almost an hour while Amber shared her fears, frustrations and wants. Amber was in pain. Amber promised not to run again. Perhaps she could volunteer in an animal shelter. Perhaps she could spend time with Ruby outside of court. Ruby sat patiently by Amber, often on Amber’s foot, as Amber carefully chose her words to share late that afternoon. Amber came back to court a few more times that week. She looked good. Refreshed and happier. Amber was able to spend time with Ruby outside of the courtroom that week.

Amber might have run again. One thing is for sure … when Amber is ready to be found, Ruby will be waiting for her in the dependency courtroom to “allow” Amber to comfort her during a long day in court.

A sweet and spirited 4-year-old girl loved playing with the dogs when her foster mother brought her to court for a judicial review hearing. Although she was too young to fully grasp the proceedings, being able to snuggle with puppies helped to ease the boredom of a long afternoon in the courtroom. She even brought one of the dogs up with her when her hearing was finally called. The day got even better when she found out that she was going to move to Ohio to stay with her grandma and big sister.

I was in Judge Dees’ court yesterday afternoon to attend a hearing for one of my Guardian Ad Litem boys and due to scheduling I was there all afternoon. I was able to observe the PAWS doggies and their handlers, the interactions with others in the court and ask a few people I know from GAL what they thought of the dogs being in court. The unanimous opinion was that it's absolutely wonderful having the dogs in court. Not only do the children enjoy the interaction, the parents, the employees of the court, the attorneys and Judge Dees obviously love it. I noticed more smiles in court than I have ever seen.

I noticed people going out of their way to take a "doggie break." I noticed one little boy who was having a very difficult afternoon sit with one of the dogs. It seemed to calm him greatly. In fact, he was able to speak in court, which I'm sure was very difficult for him. Without the support, I question whether or not he would have been calm enough to speak. I could go on, but I want everyone to know what a significant and meaningful improvement it is having both the dogs and the handlers in court. Thank you all!