As Walker, the courthouse facility dog, is about to retire after eight years of service, Lutheran Community Services Northwest in Spokane is bringing on his niece, Bess.
Her main purpose is to provide support to victims of sexual assault and sex trafficking on their healing journey. That can include testifying in the courthouse or working with law enforcement. She also can be with them in the counseling room as well, said Trauma-Informed Mental Health Clinician Erin Popelka.
Bess is nearly two years old. She has been training from the moment she was born to serve survivors of trauma. Skilled at more than 90 different cues, she can help make an environment controlled and safe. Bess provides emotional support as survivors embark on their healing journey.
“Our bodies can coregulate with other people in the room and other animals in the room. Having a dog in the room just gives clients a chance to know they are safe and whatever’s happening here is part of that healing process,” said Popelka.
Counselors are now including Bess in support group sessions.
“Whether it was her sleeping on her bed and providing some gentle snoring in the background to when folks needed a bit of a break because we just talked about really challenging stuff. She would come and give wiggles and pets. It was a chance for folks to take a deep breath and know that they were going to get through it. Bess is being placed with me as a counselor, which is a little bit different. Walker was with a victim’s advocate. Walker really worked closely with victims in the victim’s’ advocacy program. Bess is with me, so this is the first time we’ve had a dog with the counseling services,” said Popelka.
The courthouse facility dog program is just one of many at Lutheran Community Services Northwest. The organization also offers Spokane County’s community sexual assault program, where it supports survivors of sexual assault, sex trafficking and other crimes. There’s also a 24-hour hotline. Plus, the group-mental health program mostly supports children who might be dealing with mental health needs like depression, anxiety and trauma. Finaly, The Refugee Foster Program works to settle unaccompanied refugee minors coming to the U.S.
