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Therapy Dog Helps Sexual Abuse Victims

by KREX News Room
by Angela Scott

Story Created: Jun 22, 2012 at 6:12 PM MDT

Story Updated: Jun 25, 2012 at 10:08 AM MDT

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.- Friday was national Take Your Dog To Work Day. A recent study reveals having dogs in the workplace reduces perceived stress and increases job satisfaction for employees. For one local dog, every day is a work day.

Tilly is a certified therapy dog who spends her days at the Western Slope Center for Children helping those who have been sexually abused. The center sees more than 300 children each year, providing therapy, exams and forensic interviews. Tilly is there to help make the process more comfortable for the kids.

Professionals say trust can be a major issue for kids who have been sexually abused. Officials say up to 95 percent of the victims know their perpetrators.

"When we have a tough case or a kid that's shy or doesn't want to be here and we can bring Tilly in and kind of ease the mood a little bit and the child can do some tricks with Tilly, and she tends to sense that and really step up to the plate and help," said Joy Thompson, a family support advocate for the Western Slope Center for Children.

The center purchased Tilly using a grant from the Junior Service League.

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