New Canine Therapy Program in Rhode Island to Help Children

By: Bethany J. Hashway

Photo Credit: Bethany J. Hashway- Cali 

Cranston, RI- Back in November of 2018 the Cranston Police Department and Hasbro Children’s Hospital brought on a Canine Comfort and Therapy Dog Program.

The mission behind the comfort therapy dog program is to help child victims of sexual and physical abuse. According to a press release from the Cranston Police Department and the Lawrence A. Aubin, Sr. Child Protection Center at Hasbro Children’s Hospital they said they are pleased to announce this collaboration to initiate Rhode Island’s first Canine Comfort Therapy Program.

The comfort therapy dog that Cranston Police Department and Hasbro Children’s Hospital use is an Australian Labradoodle puppy named Cali who is 5 months old. Cali has two handlers, Cranston Police Detective Michael Iacone and Dr. Christine Barron from Hasbro Children’s Hospital. Cali has to go through ten weeks of training and to get certifications and she has recently graduated from puppy kindergarten.

Here is a quote from the Cranston Police Department about the new Canine Program “Children often struggle emotionally after a traumatic life experience and dogs are incredibly therapeutic, providing an amazing sense of comfort to children and their families during these critical times of crisis. Research has shown that dogs provide a comforting presence that positively affects children and their families by lowering stress levels, while increasing calmness and unparalleled support. “
As part of the program, child victims will be paired with the dog from the time of his or her initial contact with law enforcement and throughout the entire investigatory and judicial process, including medical examinations and preparation for court room testimony.

The reason why they choose Cali is because she has a good temperament and tested well during the temperament test she is also calm. Cali is still in training and will be for a year. During the work week Cali spends her days at both the police station and at the hospital providing support to victims.

So far since Cali has been on the job she has meet many children during a recent school visit she went to. Cali loves interacting and meeting new people. The support has been positive with this new Canine Therapy program at both the Cranston Police Department and Hasbro Children’s Hospital.