SARASOTA COUNTY (WSNN) – The power of the pup can go a long way in helping children suffering from abuse. Instead of a helping hand, the Child Protection Center in Sarasota is offering a helping ‘paw.’
These puppies do what we can’t,” CPC PAWS Program Founder, Danielle Hughes
Pet Advocates Working in Sarasota or ‘PAWS’ is a Child Protection Center program helping kids suffering from trauma and stress-related to child abuse.
Hughes says it’s grown a lot over the last 10 years.
“It started with the court process, but we have really expanded throughout the years to offer comfort and support to children in the schools, other community-based organizations, like ‘More to Life,’ and the Ringling College of School & Arts,” Hughes said.
A program benefiting more than 200 kids, says Hughes. Children and families can utilize certified pet therapy animals all year round.
“Like child abuse; it doesn’t end on Saturday or Sunday,” Hughes said. “So, my volunteers, my handlers make themselves as available as much as they can.”
Hughes says the puppies help take the edge off a seemingly scary situation for kids by offering support, empathy, and compassion.
“You’re preparing for trial, you’re waiting to testify against a perpetrator who most of the time, the children know and love, and they have to talk about this in front of strangers,” Hughes said. “So to have that fuzzy animal who offers no judgment. It’s just an amazing program.”
Not only helping in trails, but also in reconnecting a child to their parent.
“They can just pet that animal, slowly begin talking, and whenever they’re comfortable and they’re ready, they can get up and move and go do something else and can continue that conversation and create that bond,” CPC’s operation and program administrator, Heather Gardner said.
Heather Gardner says it helps staff as well.
“There’s just this unbelievable sense of calm, and peace, and just comfort. and warmth, and that’s able to transition to the children and families that we serve, and that’s a wonderful thing,” Gardner said.
Child Protection Center is a non-profit organization serving the Sarasota and DeSoto counties with a mission of prevention, intervention, and treatment of child abuse. For more information on its PAWS program, click here.
