With wagging tails and lovable smiles, the therapy dogs of PAWS (Pet Advocates Working in the Suncoast) are having a powerful impact on the clients they serve: children who are survivors of abuse.

PAWS is a program at the Child Protection Center (CPC), a local organization with a comprehensive approach to the prevention, intervention, and treatment of child abuse. The purpose of the program is to bring the comfort and companionship of trained therapy dogs to victims of child abuse as they testify in court, during depositions, while in supervised visitations, or as part of their trauma-informed therapy sessions. 

To better capture the remarkable effect of the PAWS dogs, we’ll share the story of a particularly difficult case from years ago. Buck, a big shaggy dog who could almost be mistaken for a friendly black bear, is with his handler to represent PAWS in court while statements for a trial are being filmed. The time comes for the victim, a very young boy, to begin his deposition. The boy is seated and Buck takes his place curled up at the feet of the child’s chair. The questioning begins but is met with silence. The boy hides his face and can’t seem to speak. After some time, the boy slides off his chair and sits on the floor with Buck, giving him pets and hugs for several moments, then climbs back into his chair where he answers every question in a clear voice. “The child’s story was horrendous,” Buck’s handler recalls. “I am so proud that Buck helped him be strong enough to tell it.” The perpetrator was convicted. 

PAWS has been a source of security and joy for hundreds of children like the boy in the story above. The pups help these little survivors find courage in some of their darkest moments, help open their hearts to find love and comfort, and help them heal and move forward after experiencing the unimaginable. They truly are our four-legged heroes.

The PAWS program was founded in 2010 by CPC’s own Danielle Hughes, Team Coordinator of the Child Protection Team and 2020’s Child Advocate of the Year, with the assistance of Dawn Buff, Office Bureau Chief of the Office of the State Attorney, 12^th Judicial Circuit, and support from the staff of the State Attorney’s Office. Danielle’s own dog, Harley Duke, inspired her to create the program to benefit children in the traumatic and stressful situations that occur after child abuse. PAWS would not be possible without the loving dedication of the handlers, who last year alone volunteered 160 hours of advocacy alongside their pups to bring nonjudgemental companionship, security, and moments of joy to survivors.

We invite you to join the Child Protection Center in bringing transformational healing to victims of child abuse at the Blue Ties & Butterflies gala. This will be a gorgeous evening where we'll be celebrating 45 years of helping children thrive! Join us at 6PM on Friday, April 4th at the Ritz Carlton in Sarasota. Tickets and sponsorships are available here: https://cpcsarasota.org/events/blue-ties-butterflies/

Learn more about the Child Protection Center and the prevention, intervention, and treatment of child abuse at https://cpcsarasota.org/ or donate directly at https://cpcsarasota.org/get-involved/sar-mag_donate/