If you are interested in joining our Paws On Therapy dog teams or in volunteering in any way, please contact Patsy Swendson at
210-273-6471 or
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Courthouse K-9 Program

It has been well documented over the years that animals have an almost magical ability to help people in very stressful situations and in crisis.

Awareness was brought to the use of therapy dogs in a courthouse years ago in Seattle, Washington. Many cities throughout the United States have acknowledged the idea that dogs have a way of communicating with people in ways others simply cannot. Therapy dogs, companion dogs, and in some places, just family pets are brought into work environments and allowed to work their magic.

In courthouse settings, children, or other victims, preparing to testify find that dogs can be used to help calm the fears of the victims.

Recently in New York, a little girl had to testify about what she suffered as victim of sexual assault during a criminal trial. A golden retriever became her pal and actually went to the witness stand and remained by her side as she had to explain to a jury what had happened to her. The little girl was able to be strong and confident with her furry pal by her side. Justice was served.

In 2006, Bexar County became the first county in Texas to allow the use of a therapy dog for children that were victims of abuse. Once approved by Bexar County Commissioner’s Court, ‘Chance’, a handsome golden retriever and Honorary Penny’s From Heaven Foundation Therapy Dog, volunteered his services to the Office of the District Attorney, to help calm the fears of children who had been victims of violence, or who had witnessed violence. ‘Chance’ became a popular figure not only with the children, but with many of the employees in their highly stressful jobs.

When ‘Chance’ retired in 2011, Penny’s From Heaven Foundation, Inc. (PFHF) took over the reins in providing certified therapy dogs to several different areas in the courthouse.

Currently, PFHF provides their dogs for children who are going through orientation into the court system. Teams have also recently become involved in the MASS ADOPTION CEREMONY held every month at the courthouse. Mass adoptions are put on by the Bexar County Child Welfare Board and Child Protective Services. Often 25 to 50 new families are created in one ceremony. It is a very happy time for all involved, because more often than not, each child has been in the foster care system for years waiting for this day. The therapy dogs have been a big hit with the kids. Therapy dogs have also been used for the CIVIL DRUG COURT GRADUATION CEREMONY.

The goal of PFHF is to have therapy dogs available, when requested, to any and all areas of the courthouse.

It is truly amazing to watch as something as simple as a child and a dog make a connection. We are fortunate to have been given the opportunity by District Attorney Susan Reed and Catherine Babbitt, Chief of the Family Justice Section to allow PFHF to be a part of the healing process for many, many children.

Copyright © Penny's From Heaven Foundation, Inc.
September, 2011

A TRIBUTE TO ‘CHANCE’
THE FIRST COURTHOUSE DOG IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

‘CHANCE’ was present for the messiness in the lives of children. He worked at the courthouse calming and comforting frightened and anxious children that had to testify to abuse, or to witnessing abuse. He was simply there to snuggle and hold onto in very scary times. ‘Chance,’ a big dog with a big heart, was a teddy bear come to life. He managed to awaken childhood again to children who had temporarily, by no fault of their own, misplaced it.

He might never have seen these kids again, but for a few moments in a bustling courthouse, he allowed them to relax and to focus on his soft brown eyes and touch his big nose and bury their faces in his golden fur. They realized that perhaps telling the truth was not so scary after all.

Faced with lawyers and judges and others throwing questions at them, these children cuddled up or lay down next to Chance and quietly whispered their fears to him. He in return let them know that everything was going to be okay.

‘Chance’, a comfy and safe landing place for children’s tears, was also present for adoptions of children into new lives and futures. Perhaps futures that might include a big teddy bear of a dog.

His paw prints will be hard to fill. But his legacy will go on forever.

“The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil,
but because of those who look on and do nothing.”
~ Albert Einstein ~