Snuggle Puppy HERO® For Kids

Walking into a courtroom can be daunting for any witness, particularly a child. A child’s fear of testifying publicly about private and embarrassing events can be intensified when having to see the defendant in the courtroom. Moreover,  strangers sitting in the audience, in the jury box, at the parties’ tables — not to mention a stranger in a black robe sitting high up and towering over everyone — can be overwhelming to a child. The image would make most adult witnesses start to feel nervous. Therapy animals helping a child both inside and outside the courtroom can calm a child, thus resulting in more efficient and accurate testimony — and less trauma to the child. 

Our CAREing Paws Courthouse Therapy Dogs work with child victims of traumatic crimes in DeKalb County with the Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit. 

We help children who are often frightened or intimidated by the court process to feel calm and safe during stressful interviews, court preparation, and testimony in court. The supportive presence of a therapy dog will help them feel more willing and able to describe what happened.

But our dogs can't be with them all the time, so CAREing Paws is partnering with Snuggle Puppy to provide HERO® dogs for kids. 

The Snuggle Puppy HERO® is designed to help ease a child’s anxiety or stress when they can't be with their real, live therapy dog. It comes with 3 sensory soothe points for calming play and comfort -  

1. Has a Real-Feel Heartbeat® like a super close hug; 
2. Has Tactile corners for sensory exploration; and is made of a  
3. Huggable plushness for sweet dreams and a restful night. 

Help us help children have the courage tell their story in the courtroom when it matters most!