Sometimes that doggone stress requires more than human comfort, especially in a court-related situation.
For that reason, Chester County Sheriff Carolyn "Bunny" Welsh is welcoming a new four-legged deputy, Melody, to her office’s K-9 unit. The Labrador-Golden Retriever joins a team that includes seven German Shepherds, all of whom are trained in tracking, with specialties in drug, accelerant, explosives or cadaver detection.
Welsh said Melody’s role would be to offer “therapy services” in circumstances when children or adults experience heightened tensions. “We have been researching the options of a comfort dog for more than a year, and have found a perfect match with Melody,” said Welsh, adding that the dog’s initial nickname was Mel, but deputies thought that sounded too masculine, giving way to “Mellie.”
According to Welsh, Mellie has already gotten rave reviews during visits to a number of court-related offices, such as the Crime Victims’ Center of Chester County and the Domestic Relations Department. She also attended a Christmas party for the West Chester Rotary. “Mellie has a very calm, comforting presence,” said Welsh. “Plus, she’s just as cute as she can be.”
The K-9 deputy had two years of training with the Seeing Eye organization based in Morristown, N.J. Chester County Deputy Sheriff and master trainer Paul Bryant sourced and “recruited” Melody, Welsh said. Although Mellie is skilled at maintaining a mellow demeanor, when she’s happy, her long tail whips around pretty fast. “We’re going to have to work on that,” Welsh said. “She could knock things off a table with that tail.”
Bryant, a former Philadelphia Police officer who retired after more than three decades of service, has trained hundreds of dogs. He said Mellie was “initially bred and trained to help people, but rather than being a Seeing Eye service dog, she will be helping people in a different way.”
He said he recently took Mellie to the Crime Victims' Center on her first day on the job, and a teenage girl who said she suffered from anxiety was waiting to be interviewed. The girl asked if she could meet Mellie. Within minutes, the pair had bonded, and the teen told Bryant: "This is so relaxing; I'm ready to be interviewed now."
Bryant said everyone within earshot was amazed, even more so when they realized that the visit represented Mellie's first official outing. "It was unbelievable," Bryant said.
Once acclimated to the Chester County Justice Center and court offices, Mellie will come to work every day and will be available whenever needed. “We are very excited to offer this kind of therapy to children and others in need of comfort during stressful times that can sometimes be a part of the judicial system,” Welsh said.
Welsh said deputies and civilians within the office would handle Mellie during the day. She currently resides with Welsh until a handler is selected.
“I may have a hard time giving her up to anyone,” Welsh said. “She has a very loving and gentle disposition and has already become part of the family!”
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