Therapy dogs help child victims cope with court

LARGO — Coleen Chaney deals with 300 cases a year. Most involve children facing the darkest moments of their lives. They're victims of rapes, witnesses to murders, often abused by a friend or relative.

A victim advocate with the Largo Police Department, Chaney's job is to comfort these casualties and to guide them through the often-terrifying process of courthouse justice.

On Friday, Chaney, 43, was honored by the Pinellas County Victim Rights Coalition with its Outstanding Individual Award — both for her dedication to service and for an innovative program she and her colleagues have introduced into Pinellas courthouses.

Called "Pawsibilities," the program uses therapy dogs to comfort children, sometimes as young as 6, who must face their abusers on the witness stand.

The dogs forge connections with the kids that no human counselor could manage.

"They have a best friend in the dog,'' Chaney said, "and they also transition from victim mode, to caregiver mode."

Also, for a child who has been through severe trauma, connecting with adults can sometimes be difficult. A therapy dog, with its unconditional patience, deep brown-eyed understanding and gentle manner can make a difference, Chaney said.

"Handing the leash over empowers that child. The child is usually more articulate, empowered," Chaney said. "A lot of court is waiting. A child is more open to waiting when they have a dog, and more open to talking."

Belinda Darcy, a fellow advocate and co-founder of the Pawsibilities program, said since the program was started in September, the results have been promising.

"Coleen had a victim last week — one of our Pyrenees went with him. When the kid saw him, his face just lit up," Darcy said. "I understand he did just a knockout job. He told them everything they needed to know to prosecute his perpetrator."

The dogs aren't currently allowed to accompany kids into the courtroom, but the advocates are hopeful that the positive feedback from judges and prosecutors could lead to an eventual change in policy.

The half-dozen or so dogs involved in the program are certified therapy animals, and their owners volunteer their time.

For a program with such low cost, Darcy said the dogs' contribution is invaluable at a time when victim advocate programs are being cut. The county recently eliminated four positions, and Largo will need to eliminate one of its three advocates later this year due to budget cuts.

"We had a court case a month ago where a little 8-year-old girl took the stand against the perpetrator. He got two life sentences (for capital sexual battery). It really kind of helps them to feel strong," Darcy said.

Also in the works from Chaney and another advocate, Gwendolyn White, is an illustrated guide for young victims facing the intimidating facade of the criminal justice building. It features a small dog named Cricket who leads the children through what to expect inside, including introductions to who bailiffs and judges are, and what they do.

The therapy dogs provide a bright spot in a job that can otherwise be taxing.

Not as visible a part of the justice system as police officers or judges, Chaney's job, says her boss, Largo police Chief Lester Aradi, is critically important — especially to those most vulnerable. But it's also one of the most delicate in the department.

"To do the job correctly, which she does, you leave part of your emotion behind," Aradi said. "All of us have had a traumatic event in our lives, but she's there next to each victim on a daily basis, living that trauma."