Facility Dogs – Supporting Children
Dr. David Crenshaw, Clinical Director of the Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie, stops by to talk with Marcie and Lovey about the many ways highly-trained facility dogs are supporting children and youth who have experienced trauma. Dr. Crenshaw shares his experiences and how it all began with a canine named Rosey. Rosey, trained by Educated Canines Assisting Disabilities, was the first dog to comfort a witness in a criminal trial in New York State. Dr. Crenshaw discusses the myriad of ways that facility dogs are serving young people today in all types of criminal justice and therapeutic environments.
BIO:
In July 2010, Dr. David Crenshaw, Ph.D., ABPP, was hired as Clinical Director. Dr Crenshaw is a nationally known presenter and leader in play therapy. Dr Crenshaw expanded the Home’s intern programs to provide training opportunities for psychology students from Marist College and SUNY New Paltz. Each year 12-20 psychology interns work with the Children’s Home. Internships for Social Work students from Marist College are also available, as well as Child Care interns from Dutchess Community College, Vassar College, Mount St. Mary College and SUNY New Paltz.
In 2011, as part of an active facility service dog program, the Children’s Home made judicial history, when, for the first time, a facility service dog named Rosie was allowed to help comfort a child witness in an abuse case in a New York courtroom. Later that year, Ivy, Rosie’s sister, was donated to the Children’s Home to work with the children and youth in therapy. In 2013, Ivy passed away and the home welcomed Ace, the grandson of Rosie and the nephew of Ivy to the therapy team. In 2015, Marshall, Ace’s half-brother began working at the Home and in June 2018 the Home welcome it’s third Facility Service Dog, Elvis to the team. The use of these dedicated dogs in treating trauma victims is incalculable. Ace, Marshall and Elvis provide unconditional love and comfort to the children in care.