Source: Gettysburg Times
By Vanessa Pellechio Sanders Times Staff Writer
A yellow British Labrador will bring paws of comfort to children in Adams County custody matters.
A yellow British Labrador will bring paws of comfort to children in Adams County custody matters.
Adams County commissioners recently approved an agreement with Keystone Pet Enhanced Therapy Services (KPETS) for registered volunteers and their dogs to provide therapeutic canine services in county and court facilities.
As part of the motion, county officials also entered into an agreement with KPETS registered handler Larry Miller and his certified dog Dudley, who is 4-and-a-half years old, to provide support to local children. The service is at no cost to the county, according to officials.
“In certain situations, it is undeniable that approved therapy pets provide comfort and emotional support,” Adams County Commissioner Chairman Randy Phiel said, adding that “the board of commissioners fully supports the initiative of creating a supportive, caring, and compassionate environment where and when appropriate.”
Utilizing therapy dogs in Pennsylvania courts has become “a growing trend,” especially in cases involving children, according to Adams County Court of Common Pleas Judge Christina Simpson.
“Research has shown that therapy dogs provide comfort and emotional support to individuals participating in these processes, which can be conflict-ridden, traumatic and stressful,” Simpson said. “They promote a calming environment.”
Simpson’s caseload centers on family law, one of the most emotional sides of court as she makes decisions relating to children, money, and property.
Miller and Dudley will provide support “on a volunteer basis,” when the judge has interviews with “children who are the subject of a child custody lawsuit,” according to Simpson.
Dudley Miller is ready to provide comfort and emotional support to individuals participating in these processes, which can be conflict-ridden, traumatic and stressful.
“On average, approximately 115 child interviews are conducted by the Adams County Court annually in matters involving child custody litigation,” Simpson said.
Simpson said the service has been offered “on and off in child custody court” since 2017, which also depended on the availability of KPETS dogs and handlers.
“It was interrupted for a period of time during the pandemic,” Simpson said.
Established in 2003, KPETS has over 300 volunteer teams that provide over 10,000 hours of animal-assisted therapy with more than 6,000 visits every year, according to its website. From schools and libraries to special-needs programs and retirement communities, KPETS has teams ready to assist without any cost, the website reads.
The KPETS agreement recently approved is in addition to a different canine therapeutic service voted on in October with Adams County Children and Youth Services (ACCYS).
Volunteer handlers and dogs with ACCYS assignments “are present for dependency court, not child custody court,” Simpson said, noting those “are two different types of litigation.”
“ACCYS is not directly involved in child custody cases, only in dependency cases,” Simpson said.