Breed: Miniature Austrialian Shepherd X Shetland Sheepdog
Harper loves visiting children before and after counseling sessions and forensic interviews. She gets petted and loves showing off tricks like Fist Bump, Take a Nap, Hold Hands, Chin Rest, and Spin. She also helps during counseling sessions by demonstrating therapeutic techniques, and doing activities like choosing a feelings card to communicate how she’s feeling, answering Yes/No questions with buttons, and playing games such as Connect 4, Uno, and Pick Up Sticks.
She also goes out in the community to libraries and classrooms and does tricks corresponding to a book that we read to the kids, helping them to understand the concepts. At events and on social media, Harper helps get attention and engagement by acting as the Face of the LCAC.
Each year, more than 300 reports of child abuse or neglect are made in Limestone County. For over 10 years, the Limestone Child Advocacy Center has provided free, comprehensive services to children and families impacted by abuse or neglect. As the only agency in the county offering these services under one roof, we bring together law enforcement, Child Protective Services, therapists, family advocates, interns, volunteers, and the District Attorney’s Office to support safety, healing, and justice.
Our goal is to ensure every child and family in need has access to care while fostering hope, resilience, and community involvement in the fight against child abuse.
Harper is owned by the LCAC’s Executive Director, Becky Bentley, who had always wanted a facility dog at the LCAC. She got Harper as a puppy in the summer of 2020. To help train Harper, Becky hired Elizabeth Morgan Burrage of Alabama Dog Academy;Elizabeth not only has over a decade of experience training service dogs, she also has a BSW and experience with child advocacy centers.
Harper is now a Certified Therapy Dog with Alliance of Therapy Dogs;she also has Novice Therapy Dog, Canine Good Citizen, and Intermediate Trick Dog titles with the AKC.
A 5-year old boy came to the LCAC for counseling after having been removed from his mother’s care. He was very shy and the therapist needed an ice breaker to help him start talking. So Harper visited his therapy session with her Yes/No buttons and everyone – the therapist, Harper’s handler, and the kid – asked her questions that she answered by pawing Yes or No. The questions were mostly silly: “Harper do you like being petted?” “Harper do you like the weather today?” “Harper do you like treats?” “Harper do you have any brothers and sisters?” when finally the boy asked Harper if she gets to see her dog mom (which Harper answered “no”). Then he quietly asked “Harper do you miss your mom?” She pawed “Yes” and he said “Me too.” It was the first time he’d mentioned his mom in counseling and opened up the door for more discussion, which not only helped the boy but also gave the staff in the room reason to celebrate.
One of her favorite daily activities is to go next door and visit her “Granny” (Becky’s, LCAC’s Executive Director, mom); Granny loves asking Harper to do tricks and is very generous giving her treats.
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