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Wren, a dog that provides support to children at the Zebra Child Protection Centre with centre director Becci Watson on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018 in Edmonton. GREG SOUTHAM / POSTMEDIA
Therapy dog in fifth year of helping children cope after abuse
Wren is a four-legged “staff member” of the Zebra Child Protection Centre, a non-profit child abuse response centre in downtown Edmonton. This year marks her fifth anniversary of work, as well as the fifth year of the centre’s support dog program.
“She’s that initial comfort and that initial calming presence,” said Becci Watson, the centre’s director of justice partnerships and support. “She’s that warm, cuddly, physical comfort that children might not otherwise get in the criminal justice process.”
The centre supports kids and their non-offending family members as they move through the justice system — from disclosures of abuse, to police interviews and the courthouse. As part of the Very Important Paws program, Wren has greeted children nearly 650 times. Last year, she and the centre’s other facility dog, Fletcher, joined children in more than 160 forensic interviews with police.
Wren also accompanies children to the courthouse; if they’re testifying, she’ll join them on stand. Last year, she and Fletcher sat with children giving testimony more than 60 times.
“She’s that initial comfort and that initial calming presence,” said Becci Watson, the centre’s director of justice partnerships and support. “She’s that warm, cuddly, physical comfort that children might not otherwise get in the criminal justice process.”
The centre supports kids and their non-offending family members as they move through the justice system — from disclosures of abuse, to police interviews and the courthouse. As part of the Very Important Paws program, Wren has greeted children nearly 650 times. Last year, she and the centre’s other facility dog, Fletcher, joined children in more than 160 forensic interviews with police.
Wren also accompanies children to the courthouse; if they’re testifying, she’ll join them on stand. Last year, she and Fletcher sat with children giving testimony more than 60 times.
