Breed: Labrador/Golden Retriever | Age: 10 Years Old
Mickler is the Center for Child Protection’s Chief Facility Dog and a trusted member of the Travis County Child Protection Team. Since joining the Center in 2017, Mickler has become a steady, comforting presence for children and families during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Across every service the Center provides, Mickler helps children feel safer, calmer, and more supported—whether he’s inspiring courage during a forensic interview, offering comfort during a medical exam, strengthening connection in therapy, or providing reassurance to caregivers who are overwhelmed as they navigate the investigation process. And when a child must take the witness stand, Mickler is there too—serving as an emotional anchor so they can bravely share their story in a courtroom full of strangers…often just feet away from their alleged abuser.
The Center for Child Protection supports children and families impacted by abuse by providing coordinated, trauma-informed services in a setting designed to reduce fear and increase stability. Through compassionate care and a multidisciplinary approach, the Center helps children feel seen, protected, and empowered—while ensuring families have support throughout every step of the process.
Mickler joined the Center’s staff in 2017, fully trained by Assistance Dogs of the West in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Because of his specialized training, he became the Center’s first facility dog, allowing him to work with children and families across a wide range of services and locations. Mickler also carries forward an important legacy. His predecessor, a therapy dog named Sidney, was the first dog in Texas allowed to accompany a child during a child abuse trial—setting a powerful precedent for courtroom support. Building on that foundation, Mickler became the first child abuse courthouse assistance dog in Travis County, helping children face one of the most intimidating environments imaginable with a calm, supportive companion by their side.
As the head of the Center’s Facility Dog Program, Mickler is known for being steady, reliable, and deeply intuitive. His calm demeanor and natural ability to sense emotion have helped him provide comfort, strength, and stability to countless children and families in their most vulnerable moments. In September 2025, Mickler celebrated his 10th birthday. He knows over 50 commands, holds a Canine Good Citizen certificate, and continues to lead the Center’s growing Facility Dog Program with quiet confidence and constant compassion.
Several years ago, a young girl entered therapy after experiencing a profound betrayal—someone who was meant to protect her failed to do so. Her sense of safety was shattered, and her trust in people disappeared. Despite a therapist’s gentle reassurances and repeated efforts to connect, the child remained withdrawn. Because safety and trust aren’t built through words alone—they’re felt, experienced, and earned—the therapist introduced Mickler into a session. There were no expectations and no pressure. Just quiet comfort, gentle presence, and soft pets.
Over time, that silent interaction became something powerful. The young girl wasn’t ready to trust other people yet—but she was willing to trust Mickler. And through that bond, Mickler helped her begin to believe in safety again. Slowly, he became a bridge back to human connection, helping her reconnect with family members and take steady steps forward. Healing didn’t happen all at once, but it happened in the way it often does best: through consistency, patience, and repeated experiences that proved trust could be real.
For many children, Mickler offers that first spark of hope—the beginning of believing that relationships can be safe again. That’s why Mickler is, without question, one of the most skilled, empathetic, and impactful “clinicians” the Center has ever known.
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