Rescue dog gets a special job helping local children
By Rachael Perry
Click here for updates on this story
STUART, Florida (WPBF) — A Treasure Coast nonprofit is adding a new four-legged resource to its work helping child victims of sexual exploitation and trafficking.
Catch the Wave of Hope is an anti-exploitation and anti-trafficking organization focused on awareness, education and survivor support. The organization works with children, parents, law enforcement, and other community professionals while also connecting survivors with therapy and other resources.
Now, Hanalei, a certified therapy dog, is joining that effort. Hanalei was rescued from Big Dog Ranch Rescue at three months old. She is a Labrador-Boxer mix and will turn two in November.
Sarah Marie Henry, the executive director, is Hanalei’s owner and handler.
“We have just kind of heard this overwhelming need for more therapeutic options, especially for children,” Henry said.
Hanalei will work with children at the Treasure Coast Child Advocacy Center, where some children go through the forensic interview process. She will also be available during therapy sessions and potentially during court proceedings.
“She is there to be a support to really help them feel safe and comforted,” Henry said.
Henry said Hanalei was a natural fit for the role because she has always responded well to children. She was trained and assessed before becoming certified through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs.
Henry said children have already responded positively to Hanalei, including children with different learning disabilities.
“It’s almost instilled in them that she knows and is excited to see them and really gets down on their level and is just available,” she said.
Hanalei is also a rescue, something Henry said gives her story another meaningful connection to the children she serves.
“I think that she just has a different understanding because of where she came from and what she’s overcome to now be here,” Henry said.
The organization plans to add two more therapy dogs, with one already in the process.
For Henry, the goal is to give children another source of comfort as they work through difficult experiences.
“She’ll be there to help encourage communication when kids are having a harder time articulating what maybe happened to them,” she said.
And while the work can be difficult, Henry said the message behind Hanalei’s role is simple:
“What’s happened has happened, but there is hope,” she said.
Catch the Wave of Hope has a list of educational resources on their website, along with ways for people to seek help.
People can also follow Hanalei’s journey through an Instagram page.
Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.