A yellow British Labrador will bring comfort to children in custody matters in Adams County.
Adams County commissioners recently approved an agreement with Keystone Pet Enhanced Therapy Services (KPETS) for registered volunteers and their dogs to provide therapeutic dog services at county and court facilities.
As part of the application, district officials also entered into an agreement with KPETS-registered dog handler Larry Miller and his certified dog, Dudley, who is four and a half years old, to assist the children on site. According to authorities, the service is free for the district.
“In certain situations, it is undeniable that licensed therapy pets provide comfort and emotional support,” said Randy Phiel, chairman of the Adams County Commissioners, adding, “The Board of Commissioners fully supports the initiative to provide a supportive, caring and compassionate pet environment “To create an environment where and when appropriate.”
According to Adams County Court of Common Pleas Judge Christina Simpson, the use of therapy dogs in Pennsylvania courts has become a “growing trend,” particularly in cases involving children.
“Research shows that therapy dogs provide comfort and emotional support to individuals involved in these processes, which can be conflictual, traumatic and stressful,” Simpson said. “They promote a calming environment.”
Simpson's case focuses on family law, one of the most emotional sides of the court as she makes decisions regarding children, money and property.
According to Simpson, Miller and Dudley will provide assistance “on a pro bono basis” as the judge conducts interviews with “children who are the subject of a custody dispute.”
“On average, the Adams County Court conducts approximately 115 child interviews each year in matters involving custody disputes,” Simpson said.
Simpson said the service has been offered “in and out of custody court” since 2017, which also depends on the availability of KPETS dogs and caregivers.
“It was paused for a period of time during the pandemic,” Simpson said.
Founded in 2003, KPETS has more than 300 volunteer teams providing over 10,000 hours of animal-assisted therapy with more than 6,000 visits each year, according to its website. From schools and libraries to special needs programs and retirement homes, KPETS has teams ready to help for free, the website says.
The recently approved KPETS agreement complements another canine therapeutic service agreed upon in October with Adams County Children and Youth Services (ACCYS).
Volunteer dog handlers and dogs with ACCYS duties “are present in dependency court, not custody court,” Simpson said, noting that they are “two different types of litigation.”
“ACCYS is not directly involved in custody cases, only dependency cases,” Simpson said.
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