SMETHPORT — Dog cuteness will be on display when six dogs raise their right paw to be sworn in as part of the inaugural group of therapy dogs in CASA of McKean County’s Therapy Dog Program.
The ceremony is scheduled for noon on Friday, Nov. 22, in the large courtroom at the McKean County Courthouse. Judge Christopher Hauser will handle the swearing in ceremony and give some remarks about the therapy dog program. Dog treats will follow the ceremony in the rotunda of the courthouse.
The six therapy dogs with the name of their handler include Ellie with Donna Dombek; Andre with Beth Mills; Faith with Judy Stratton; Breeze with Kolleen Press; Finn with Deborah Cavagnaro; and Delilah with Laura Kay Meyers. The CASA Therapy Dog Program was spearheaded by Hauser after he researched the positive effects of dogs being involved in court proceedings.
“Judge Hauser approached CASA as a program to lead the therapy dog program since we work with abused and neglected children in the foster care system. It seemed like a good fit for us to be involved in this program to make these vulnerable children more comfortable in the court hearing process,” stated Suzy Meyer-Page, executive director of CASA of McKean County.
Meyer-Page went on to say, “We have had therapy dogs at court on three separate occasions thus far and we are already seeing positive effects from having the dogs available. The dogs have made some previously non-responsive children open up in the court room and interact with the presiding judge.”
As a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), each volunteer receives in-depth training to advocate in court and in the community for the needs of children in foster care. Volunteers come from all walks of life and professions and have one thing in common: they care about kids. Volunteers complete a 30-hour pre-training.
Once they are assigned to a case, they can expect to spend an average of about 10 to 15 hours a month getting to know the child, gathering information, exploring resources to meet the child’s needs, representing the child in court and writing reports. Volunteers receive ongoing education and support from their local program as well as from the National CASA Association.
CASA of McKean County is always looking for volunteers. Anyone interested in volunteering is asked to reach out to the program at casa@mckeancountypa.org or 814-568-2170. Learn more about CASA of McKean County by visiting its Facebook page, CASA of McKean County; Instagram page, @casaofmckeancounty; or website, www.casamckean.org.
“Our CASA volunteers are helping to change the stories of abused and neglected children. The Therapy Dog Program is a great addition to aid in this endeavor,” Meyer-Page concluded.
