Prosecuting attorneys see the worst of humanity, from murderers to child rapists.
They could use a break every now and then, and Richland County Prosecutor Jodie Schumacher makes sure that her employees do.
Schumacher has instituted Furry Fridays, when staff members can bring their dogs to the office.
Receptionist Cheryl Kaple suggested the idea after talking to a friend whose workplace allows the practice.
“It’s a stress reliever,” Schumacher said. “Animals give immediate affection to you. Dogs don’t want anything in return; they just give.”
Studies have shown that dogs can provide significant emotional benefits, including reducing stress and anxiety, increasing feelings of companionship and love, boosting moods and alleviating loneliness.
To maintain a professional atmosphere, Schumacher allows usually one dog per Friday. Staff members sign up for the opportunity.
Last Friday, Kaple brought her behemoth of a Newfoundland named Motown. He goes by “Mo” for short.
Mo weighs 150 pounds.
“He’s just a gentle giant,” Kaple said.
Mo has webbed feet, a trait common with the breed because of their love of water. In warmer weather, Mo swims in a pond near Kaple’s home.
The receptionist brings him to the office a couple of times a month.
“Mo does more for us than we do for him,” Kaple said. “It just brightens everyone’s day when the animals are here.”
She describes the Newfoundland as “chill” and “laid back.” Mo loves a good belly rub.
There were actually two dogs at the prosecutor’s office last Friday. The other was Travis, a 15-year-old dachshund owned by Elaine Hutton, the juvenile, appellate and civil secretary.
A year ago, Travis lived in Atlanta.
“He’s getting used to the snow and cold weather in Ohio,” Hutton said.
More:How cold is too cold for dogs? It depends. When to bring them inside, signs of frostbite
She adopted Travis when he was 1. Hutton said he loves to romp and play with big dogs at dog parks, making Mo a perfect playmate.
Travis was sleeping in a dog bed in Hutton’s cubicle before he got up to see Mo, who weighs more than 10 times the dachshund.
“He’s a good boy,” Hutton said of her dog. “He sleeps most of the time now that he’s older.”
Schumacher and her family have three dogs of their own. Vader and Maggie are Goldendoodles, and Ollie is a mini-Golden.
Each has visited the prosecutor’s office.
“Vader will walk through the office like he owns the place,” Schumacher said. “Maggie is a little more reserved. Ollie, because he’s little, is enamored of our office since the space is so big.”
Schumacher’s office has used a therapy dog in at least one trial.
As legally neutral companions for witnesses during the investigation and prosecution of crimes, these dogs help the most vulnerable witnesses feel willing and able to describe what happened.
The dogs of the prosecutor’s office offer their own brand of therapy.
“As soon as they (employees) hear those footsteps going down the hallway, they just smile,” Schumacher said. “It just lightens the load and helps put matters in perspective.”
mcaudill@gannett.com
419-521-7219
X: @MarkCau32059251
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
