Canine Companions To Help Calm Nerves, Relieve Stress At Delaware County Court

Animal companions are used by many people from veterans to visually impaired persons. But in Delaware County, dog companions will now help children through court hearings thanks to the help of Newark, Del. organization PAWS for People.

According to PAWS for People Associate Director Stephanie Barry, therapy dog teams will be present in the Delaware County Court to ease fear and anxiety of anyone in the building.

"This will hopefully help decrease everyone's stress and anxiety," Barry said of the Court Companion Program.

Barry said the program will start Sept. 20 by placing a therapy team in the court waiting areas with the goal of claming everyone, even courthouse employees, during high-stress situations.

"Whoever is in the waiting rooms can see the dogs," she said. "I think this will positively impact all sorts of people, including staff."

Barry went on to say while focusing on children's emotional state is important, courts involve families, caregivers, and more, all of which can benefit from a dog's presence.

The program was spearheaded by Media attorney Kathryn A. Meloni, who Barry said is a PAWS for People team volunteer with her dog Frangelica.

Meloni was aware of PAWS for People's similar court program in Maryland and brought Barry in to explain the program to Delaware County Court officials.

"It's been pretty smooth sailing and a labor of love for about a year," Barry said of the partnership with the court.

Delaware County Juvenile Court Judge Nathaniel Nichols told NBC10 that he hopes the program "will help children, their families, and others involved in cases be calm and overcome their fears.''

Barry said eight teams have been trained for the program and one team will go into the courthouse at a time. She said teams will be present on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and that the organization is recruiting more teams for the program.

PAWS for People pair pets with seniors, children, and persons with disabilities for therapeutic visits and is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operating in Delaware, New Jersey, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.

To be come a PAWS For People team, visit the organization's website for more details.

Photo by Karen Wall