Kadence, or KD for short, is the newest therapy dog for Howard County’s problem-solving courts like Veterans Court and Mental Health Court. Every day, she serves the court proudly by the side of her owner, Judge Brant Parry.
Parry said this about KD, “Not every dog can be a therapy dog. Not every dog can be a service dog. So one of the things I looked at was her puppy temperament testing results. And she did very well. … She’s got a great personality.”
KD’s role in the court system is to ease the minds of those within the court system. There are many individuals that suffer from anxiety and PTSD. Having a friendly therapy dog around relieves stress for all those involved.
“If you can have that, ‘OK, I have to go to the courthouse because I have to see my probation officer and check-in, but KD is going to be there while I’m talking to my case manager,’ it makes it easier,” Parry added. “I think having someone that doesn’t want anything from you other than to just be your friend and show love is important, whether it’s a human or man’s best friend.”
Job well done, Kadence!
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Photos by Tim Bath