The Linn County Juvenile Detention Center has enlisted a new breed of counselors to help young people — specifically a Leonberger, a Labrador retriever and a golden retriever.
The certified therapy dogs take a trip to the detention center, 800 Walford Road in Cedar Rapids, the third Tuesday of each month to interact with the youth, ages 12 to 18, who are being housed at the facility.
At the beginning of each visit, the owners introduce their dogs to two groups, tell them about the breed and share stories about other therapy sessions in which the dogs have participated. This month, Kate Hladky was accompanied by Juma, a 4-year-old Leonberger, a German breed resembling a lion with great tufts of brown and black hair and a large body frame. Sue Anton-Owen brought Wilson, a high-energy, 6-year-old golden retriever and Roy Gaddis introduced the youth to Sophie, a 7-year-old yellow Labrador retriever.
The detainees took turns petting the dogs, who all have completed a series of certification tests to ensure they don’t get alarmed by loud noises or beeping — which are frequent in hospitals or detention centers — and won’t show aggression if someone tugs on their fur or plays a bit rough with them.
[For more of this story, written by Makayla Tendall, go to http://www.thegazette.com/subj...ubled-youth-20161024]
Comments (0)