HOULTON, MAINE (AP) – An Aroostook County courthouse is poised to be the first in Maine to have a dedicated therapy dog to provide emotional support for people dealing with traumatic experiences.
A yellow Labrador puppy named Holiday has begun up to two years of training with a goal of becoming a calming presence in a stressful environment.
Aroostook County District Attorney Todd Collins told the Bangor Daily News that courthouse dogs can help traumatised children and victims of crime. They can also provide emotional support for law enforcement officers, first responders and others, too.
“A courthouse dog can provide emotional support for everyone,” he said.
