Meet Monet, a member of our Child Witness Program! Monet is the first accredited Facility Dog to work in the Criminal Justice System in the Region of Waterloo. Monet works alongside our Caseworkers, supporting children and youth who are victims or witnesses of crime.
The introduction of Monet to our professional team has enhanced our trauma-informed practice to better support the emotional and mental health needs of our clients through the criminal court process.
The benefits that Monet provides to victimized young people and their families include:
- Providing non-judgmental comfort and support through a cathartic and healing touch.
- Adding a positive component to a potentially difficult situation.
- Creating a positive association with the center, which aids in relationship building with their Caseworker.
- Drawing out healthy emotions, and helps normalize traumatic situations.
- Supporting the mental health of the professionals in our agency and in the justice process, potentially reducing the impact of vicarious trauma.
Thank You to National Service Dogs
Monet was generously donated to us by National Service Dogs (NSD), as an accredited Canine Assisted Intervention (CAI) dog. The use of Facility Dogs with young people through the court process is one of the emerging, evidence informed best practices.