Shelter dogs bring comfort to children, veterans, first responders

BY FLORA REIGADA

The month of February celebrates love on Valentine’s Day. It is between a couple, a parent and child, or relatives and friends. Another kind of love is demonstrated by the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Paws and Stripes College, also known as the Comfort Dog program.

By adopting and training shelter dogs to comfort children with behavioral or emotional disabilities, veterans and first responders, this love transforms lives, both human and canine. Male and female inmates help in the process.

Cpl. Mariah Biddle, an AKC (American Kennel Club) temperament evaluator, manages daily operations with her team.

“We are responsible for the care, evaluation and training of the dogs,” she said. “We maintain the building, conduct training of inmates, of adopters and securely transport inmates to and from the jail complex.”

First responder therapy dogs are used to comfort crime victims during interviews and courtroom testimony. They assist in community relations and major crises such as the Surfside condo collapse in June 2021.

“It is a win-win situation,” Biddle said. “It provides those in need with a trained therapy dog and helps our animal care center achieve no-kill status. It also teaches inmates a trade to assist them when they re-enter society. Seventy-five percent of Paws and Stripes inmates do not return to the jail.”

This is at no expense to taxpayers.

Paws and Stripes recently paid a visit to the American Police Hall of Fame and Museum.

“We enjoy when our furry friends visit with their human partners,” said Jayme DiGennaro, the director of museum education.

Some of the dogs are named after fallen law enforcement officers.

They will return for the WaggingTails @ Work K-9 event from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, March 11.

The cost is $20 per family and $10 for adults. This includes free hot dogs and chips.

Other visits are being planned.

The American Police Hall of Fame and Museum is at 6350 Horizon Drive in Titusville.

Call 321-264-0911 or visit aphf. org/.

Veterans, first responders or the parent of a child in need of an emotional support animal may email pawsandstripescollege@bcso.us, or visit brevardsheriff.com/home/howdo-i/request/paws-stripes. SL