County OKs $16K for dog to help kids in court

MUNCIE, Ind. — Plans to acquire — for $16,000 — a service dog to aid young people in the juvenile court system drew questions from Delaware County Council this week.

The seven-member fiscal body ultimately approved, by a 6-1 vote, the funding request submitted by Ashley Soldaat, director of the county's Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program, which advocates for abused and neglected children, particularly those in the court system.

The proposal drew attention thanks to its funding amount and its listing on the agenda for county council's Tuesday meeting as "courthouse dog program." Council was asked to approve the request, along with other expenses for CASA, which would be paid for with grant revenue.

"Explain the courthouse dog program," council president Ron Quakenbush asked Soldaat during Tuesday's meeting.

The dog, which Soldaat will soon meet and train with, will come from Support Dogs Inc. of St. Louis. The dog will accompany traumatized child victims and witnesses in interviews, trials and juvenile court proceedings.

"These dogs get kids to open up and speak after trauma," Soldaat told council members.

Quakenbush asked if other council members thought the $16,000 line item, which Soldaat said will cover not only the cost of the dog but training, should be removed from CASA's overall request. No other council members spoke up.

The dog will be used in advertising and publicity about CASA, Soldaat said. The dog, which will live with Soldaat, will not only help children but "go out in the community," she said.

"This dog will also serve as the face of our program," she added.

"It's tough for me to support something new financially," Quakenbush, a Republican veteran of council who has traditionally been fiscally conservative, said.

The council president asked Sheriff Ray Dudley and county police officers about their K-9 dogs and was told that at least one cost about $15,000.

Noting that Soldaat had said she and CASA were busy with clients, Quakenbush said, "I hope you know what you're getting into."

"It's worth it for the kids," Soldaat replied.

She added that she thought the community would support the courthouse dog program.

"This is a dog-loving community," Soldaat said.

Council members asked Soldaat about obtaining private funding for the program, but Soldaat said her training with the dog — a Labrador or Golden Retriever, yet to be determined — began in two weeks.

Council Republican Scott Alexander told Soldaat that council would "rather see a program like this" funded in advance. Council then approved the appropriation.

Soldaat told The Star Press that the presence of a courthouse dog can have a profound effect on juveniles in the court system.

"Kids shut down," she said. "When the dog enters, it completely changes things and opens them up."

After training, the dog will come to CASA on Feb. 13 and begin its job of "reducing stress and anxiety" for children moving through the criminal justice system. "Easing" and "soothing" anxious children, the dog will help those who have been victims or are witnesses testifying in the county's juvenile justice system, she said.

CASA has 500 children in its program, Soldaat told The Star Press.

Contact Keith Roysdon at 765-213-5828 and follow him on Facebook and Twitter.