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When victims of child abuse need help testifying

The Times Reporter - 10/30/2017

NEW PHILADELPHIA

A new deputy sheriff with a warm heart and a cold nose is helping to comfort and support child abuse victims when they must talk about the crimes to which they have been subjected.

Two-year-old Alexa, a Labrador retriever, made her formal debut Wednesday before selected members of the law enforcement, legal, government, social services and philanthropic communities at the Tuscarawas County Sheriff's~ Office.

She is officially on the staff of the Tuscarawas County Child Advocacy Center, which provides a specialized, comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach to child abuse from initial disclosure through treatment to reduce further trauma and promote recovery and resiliency for children and families.

The agency records interviews with child victims so they do not have to repeat their stories unnecessarily during investigations.

CAC Executive Director Vanessa Stergios said Alexa has helped five children in interviews and two who testified in court since arriving in late September. "We kind of had an idea, I think, of what a dog would do for our children that we work with," she said.

"But to really see her in action has really been just an amazing experience for us team members as well as for the children that she's worked with.

"Imagine sitting down with a stranger and telling them your most intimate personal first sexual experience. And then imagine being a child doing that.

"That's kind of what we ask kids to do oftentimes at the Child Advocacy Center. And so having (Alexa's) unconditional love and support to just be there, and hear them and maybe not have to make eye contact with those of us adults who are asking those questions and trying to understand what may have happened to those children, has really just been incredible."

Stergios gave special thanks to the CAC's governing board for bringing Alexa to the staff, to Sheriff Orvis Campbell and Tuscarawas County Job and Family Services Director David Haverfield. She also mentioned Frontier Power Co., of Coshocton, which gave $3,500 toward Alexa's upkeep and training, and Sugarcreek Veterinary Clinic, which has agreed to donate wellness care.

Alexa lives with sheriff's Detective Cathy Bickford, who is her main handler. Children's Services worker Nichole John is the backup handler. They spent a week training with Alexa at the Canine Companions for Independence facility in Delaware, one of the nonprofit's six regional training centers. The organization breeds and trains service dogs for individuals and organizations. Alexa was provided at no cost, a value of approximately $50,000, according to Stergios.

Before giving Alexa the oath of office as a special deputy on Wednesday, Campbell said he had the chance to meet Alexa with the family that raised her from about 8 weeks of age to 18 months.

He described falling easily into conversation with the daughters of puppy-raiser Tracy Pearch, of Delaware, north of Columbus.

"This dog came from good stock, for sure," Campbell said.

Pearch said her daughters Macy, in third grade, and Julia, in fifth grade, helped Alexa learn good manners at home and in public. She learned not to jump on people, for instance. The Pearch sisters helped to feed her and walk her. While in the Pearch home, Alexa learned basic commands to sit, stay, jump or get down.

Pearch described Alexa as sweet and loving. She is the ninth dog the family has raised in the last 11 years. Alexa grew up with two other Canine Companions candidates that were released by the service and became family pets.

After spending time in homes, the dogs get six to nine months of advanced training from Canine Companions, which teaches them about 40 commands such as "open door." Alexa will continue to go back for training and will receive support services from Canine Companions. The nonprofit retains ownership of the dog.

Pearch and Campbell said Alexa plays like a normal dog when she is not wearing the vest that tells her she is on duty.

Stergios said Tracy Pearch taught Alexa general obedience, socialized her "and really turned her into the calm and easy-going dog that she is."

"The puppy raisers do everything they do as volunteers," Stergios said. "Think about how difficult it is to have a puppy for 18 months, the hardest part, and then turn them over to Canine Companions for their advanced training."

Canine Companions puppy-raiser Mary Beth Morrow, of Sugarcreek, also attended Alexa's swearingin. She has raised 17 puppies since she started volunteering with Canine Companions in October 2001 while she was in high school.

"I love dogs, and love dog behavior and training," Morrow said. "But I also really love people, and being able to combine the two together, and help the community, and help people out while doing something that I love.

"The rewards of puppy raising far outweigh the things that we give."

Tracy Pearch said her family enjoys training Canine Companions.

"It's fun for us," she said. "And it's so fun knowing the dog is going to help people. It's a win-win."

For more information about Canine Companions for Independence, visit www.cci.org or call 800-572-BARK.

Reach Nancy at 330-364-8402 or nancy.molnar@timesreporter.com. On Twitter: @nmolnarTR