An important partner in healing: Commerce supports facility dogs in victim services
When children and families are navigating difficult situations, finding support can be the difference between navigating it alone and finding a path forward. At Partners with Families & Children, sometimes that support comes with four paws and a wagging tail.
Located in Spokane, the nationally accredited children’s advocacy center is responsible for organizing a team response to investigations involving child abuse and neglect.
“We work really closely with our multidisciplinary team partners to make sure that we’re supporting the families that receive services here. Because the concerns are pretty significant,” explained Stephanie Widhalm, Partners’ director and forensic investigator.
One member of the multidisciplinary team is Tori, a facility dog who has spent the past six years working with Stephanie.
“Tori is a partner right alongside of us. Her primary goal is to interface with young people as they receive various services here,” said Stephanie.
Tori may not have much to say, but at Partners, she’s a full-time employee just like everyone else.
“It’s really to help them feel safe and to feel comfortable. There is actually a lot of research out there that talks about how even just looking at a sleeping dog can help reduce heart rate, lower blood pressure,” Stephanie said. “That can have a tremendous response on any stress impacts that we may be experiencing.”
Vet bills, pet insurance, dog food, toys and beds may look a little different than some of the other programs the Washington State Department of Commerce supports statewide, but this funding, through the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Children’s Advocacy Centers Initiative Grant Program, serves an equally important purpose.
“Tori’s work with children who have experienced abuse help to foster a resilient community in Spokane,” said Zev Friedlander, commerce specialist in Commerce’s Office of Crime Victim’s Advocacy. “After abuse, children are provided with developmentally appropriate and trauma-informed services at Children’s Advocacy Centers but there is no support quite like a sweet dog who can walk alongside them in that process.
When children are believed and protected after abuse, when they have access to therapy, advocacy and other forms of support, they can heal. Tori is an important part of this process.”
Tori was placed at Partner’s through Assistance Dogs of Hawaii and Assistance Dogs Northwest, but Commerce funding helps support the people and resources that make her work possible.
She was bred and raised by the California Guide Dog School for the blind and through their training process it was determined she would be better suited to work with a population of people versus an individual.
“Her temperament, she’s pretty laid back and low key, which is great, especially when you’re working with children. You’re really wanting to try and bring the anxiety and stress levels down, and bring the calm into the space,” explained Stephanie.
Tori’s calm disposition and mellow nature have made her an ideal match for the children and families at Partners. Her impact has become such an important part of the experience that the multidisciplinary team often introduces Tori to families before they even arrive- letting them know who she is, what she does and that her support is available if they want it.
And her support doesn’t stop there.
“We call it lobby lunchtime. Tori will be out here without her vest on, so she can be more a dog or a puppy in that moment. Then we’re on the floor snuggling with her or playing with her,” Stephanie added. “It’s just so calming and relaxing.”
It’d be impossible to measure the full impact of her services and support for not only the kids, but the staff at Partners too.
“I think it’s one of those that’s long lasting. Children are building narratives constantly because they’re beginning to experience life in different ways,” Stephanie emphasized. “I just think about how they carry their experience with Tori moving forward.”
As Tori’s primary handler, Stephanie is also her caregiver. At the end of each workday, Tori heads home with her, where Stephanie takes care of everything from grooming and vet visits to feeding and, perhaps most importantly, exercise and play.
“Tori spends her days bringing calm and comfort to children and families during difficult moments. But when the workday ends, she gets to leave that responsibility behind. At home, the vest comes off, and Tori gets time to decompress, play and simply be a dog.”
When Tori puts her vest back on the next morning, she’ll be ready to walk alongside another child- offering four paws, a waggling tail and a little extra comfort on their path forward. It’s one very special piece in the larger puzzle of what it takes to build stronger families, more resilient communities and a stronger Washington.
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