The child begged for the dog to come with her. Chuck was immensely affected by the scene and vowed to never let that hap- pen to another child again. He and the victim advocates with whom he worked, lobbied the legislature. In 2011, Florida became the first state to pass a law allowing therapy dogs to


hardest decision I’ve ever had to make,” said Chuck, "but it’s time for her to take it easy. It’s been the best job I have ever had. She has taken me places I wouldn’t have gone and enabled us to pro- vide relief to people I never dreamed we would be able to help. She is the ripple in the pond that started something that’s going to continue and outlive us both.”


Only a small subset of society works in the field of child sexual violence. It’s a closely guarded world with rules, procedures and protocols. “Encounters With Rikki” by Julia Strauss Bettinger, published January 26, 2016. This, from a review on InkShares.com: “Chuck and Rikki’s extraordinary work has converted the most hardened of skeptics, including judges and prosecuting


Rikki Lake Pontchartrain, the Golden Retriever therapy dog who helped change Florida law.


accompany testifying children in the courtroom. Therapy dogs are now used in almost every judicial circuit in Florida and more than half of the states across the country. Rikki has had a good life, one that has had a profound effect


on so many people. Lately she has developed some health issues, prompting Chuck to realize retirement is imminent. “It’s been the


attorneys in the legal system, doctors and rehabilitation thera- pists. The book details those conversations and provides readers with an intimate view, rarely seen by outsiders.” Tallahassee Memorial Hospital Foundation has one of the


largest Animal Therapy Programs in the country. To learn more about Florida Courthouse Therapy Dogs, visit the website FLCourthouseDogs.com


FANTA FRI


1447 South Fort Harrison, Clearwat er | 727.446.7 999 | APlaceForDogs.com www.TheNewBarker.com Winter 2017 THE NEW BARKER 19


ShoP - eaRn - rEdeEm


LOyaLty Has It’s


Rewards.


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