Powerful Paws for Children
Powerful Paws for Children is a program that utilizes professionally trained Facility Dogs who provide additional advocacy and support to children throughout the forensic interview process in our Hammond Office. During a child’s visit to the CAC, they can meet our Facility Dog and have her accompany them in the forensic interview. Trained in over 40 commands, Facility Dogs will lie beside the child so they can pet or touch her throughout the forensic interview. Our Facility Dogs were trained by Canine Companions before they were placed with CAS in 2012 and 2022.
Meet the Dogs
Hayward began his service at CAS in 2012 and was the first Facility Dog placed in a CAC in Louisiana. Hayward quickly gained “rock star status” in the Hammond community through all of the presentations and community events he attended. In 2023, Hayward officially retired as a Facility Dog. During his service at CAS, he accompanied over 1,900 children during the forensic interview process, attended court with several victims while they testified, and has done presentations for hundreds of children and adults in the community. In his retired life, Hayward comes to CAS as a volunteer and loves for people to throw his puff for him!
Whirly began her service at CAS in 2022. Since the beginning of her services, she has participated in 90% of forensic interviews. Whirly continues to provide outreach in the community to children and adults. She will also begin working with our District Attorney to assist victims throughout the court process. In her spare time, Whirly likes to sleep and run in the yard.
