RAVEN
We are very excited to announce that Raven has joined our staff. Raven is a trained facility dog from Support Dogs, Inc. A facility dog is a graduate of an accredited assistance dog school such as Assistance Dogs International, that assists a professional in his/her work.
Many times children that come to Healing Hearts CAC for services are anxious and scared which can be a barrier to providing services however, the presence of an engaging professionally trained facility dog can be an important part of creating a sense of safety and security for children and their families. Facility dogs that work in a CAC can provide a sense of calm, security and non-judgmental support. Most parents or guardians of a child victim/witness are very anxious about the prospect of their child undergoing a forensic interview. When parents are calm, the child will often be calm. Having a facility dog present for forensic interviews or therapy sessions can allow the child to be more focused on the facility dog than on the apprehension they may be feeling about the process.
Many times children that come to Healing Hearts CAC for services are anxious and scared which can be a barrier to providing services however, the presence of an engaging professionally trained facility dog can be an important part of creating a sense of safety and security for children and their families. Facility dogs that work in a CAC can provide a sense of calm, security and non-judgmental support. Most parents or guardians of a child victim/witness are very anxious about the prospect of their child undergoing a forensic interview. When parents are calm, the child will often be calm. Having a facility dog present for forensic interviews or therapy sessions can allow the child to be more focused on the facility dog than on the apprehension they may be feeling about the process.
During the forensic interview, a facility dog can provide a sense of calm and lessen stress which can make it easier for the child to describe the details of their trauma. After the interview, the children and families have something positive to discuss rather than discussing the reason for the interview. Facility dogs work well with therapy sessions in helping build trust, regulate emotions, reduce anxieties, promote creative thinking, encourage communication between therapist and child, and build self-esteem.
A child seated a few feet away from a defendant during court proceedings might struggle to describe what happened and the experience can be re-traumatizing to the child. Mississippi has legislation allowing a facility dog to accompany a child on the stand during court proceedings. Having a facility dog accompany a child witness on the stand makes court proceedings more trauma sensitive. Facility dogs that work in the legal system can provide a sense of calm, security, and non-judgmental support during investigative and legal proceedings when the professionals have to respond to children in an impartial and reserved manner.
A child seated a few feet away from a defendant during court proceedings might struggle to describe what happened and the experience can be re-traumatizing to the child. Mississippi has legislation allowing a facility dog to accompany a child on the stand during court proceedings. Having a facility dog accompany a child witness on the stand makes court proceedings more trauma sensitive. Facility dogs that work in the legal system can provide a sense of calm, security, and non-judgmental support during investigative and legal proceedings when the professionals have to respond to children in an impartial and reserved manner.
RAVEN AT WORK
Raven is a celebrity wherever he goes!
Raven at the Glow Run Fundraiser
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Raven loves holidays!
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Our children who volunteered to plant pinwheel gardens loved Raven!!
