Chadds Ford team pilots new therapy program

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Kathryn Meloni and Frangelica, far right, are taking part in a pilot program of using therapy dogs in the waiting areas of Juvenile Court and Juvenile Dependency Court.

The team of Kathryn and Frangelica Meloni are part of a new therapy program at the Delaware County Courthouse. But this is not your typical sister or mother/daughter team.

While Kathryn Meloni is a well-known attorney and former judge of elections in the township, Frangelica has four legs. She’s a certified therapy dog. The two are members of a new pilot program aimed at calming children and families who have to go to family court.

The announcement was made during a press conference in Media on Wednesday.

The idea is part of the PAWS for People program. "PAWS" is an acronym for Pet-Assisted Volunteer Visitation Services – the group uses overlapping V’s to make the W.

PAWS for People matches therapy dogs for use in schools, hospital, libraries and other places where the animals can help relieve stress and anxiety, according to Associate Director Stephanie Barry.

Barry said Frangelica, who has been used in other areas, is also suited for the courthouse project because of her adaptable temperament.

“Different dogs have different personalities,” Barry said. “The dogs who are going to be better-suited to work in a court environment have to be able to adapt to different types of people, different ages, and adapt to a lot of distractions and noise,” she said.

Frangelica Meloni, a Yorkshire terrier/Maltese/Cairn terrier mix, always wears a dress when she goes to work, according to Kathryn Meloni.
Frangelica Meloni, a Yorkshire terrier/Maltese/Cairn terrier mix, always wears a dress when she goes to work, according to Kathryn Meloni.

Barry added that dogs used in the court setting need to mingle with people instead of being more sedentary.

Meloni said Frangelica was a rescue who was “super friendly, loved people, calm enough and well-behaved once we started obedience training.”

Before that basic training, Frangelica, according to Meloni, “was a little terror.”

“Her name, Frangelica, is a hazelnut Italian liqueur. She was nuts. That’s how she got her name, though that doesn’t make a lot of sense now because she’s so good. Once she started the obedience training, she flourished. As a result of that, I thought serving as a therapy dog would be a good thing for her,” Meloni said.

Two and a half years ago, Meloni decided to get involved with PAWS for People, and Frangelica passed the advanced level training immediately.

In those two-plus years, the team has visited nursing homes, hospice, elementary schools and libraries. Meloni believes she made the right decision.

“It’s been so rewarding that I can’t stop. We actually go to six different sites now,” Meloni said.

She added that Frangelica, a 5-year-old mixed breed, is well received by people.

“They love her. You have a child that you’re proud of, whether it has fur or not. It’s so nice to have other people love her. No matter where we go, people light up and relax,” she said.

As an example of the dog’s calming influence, Meloni told the story of a time when they went to a nursing home where a patient was highly agitated, fighting with a nurse, acting angrily, and miserable.

“She spotted Frangelica and stopped, smiled, calmed down and started to pet her. It was miraculous to watch…And [Frangelica] loves it. She eats it up,” said Meloni, a Chadds Ford resident. “She knows it’s her job.”

That job will now include spending time in the waiting areas outside Juvenile Court and Juvenile Dependency Court to calm people, adults as well as kids, and even for the attorneys, Meloni explained.

“We’re there for anyone who happens to be there, who might be a little stressed out. Anyone can come and pet her,” she added.

According to Barry, PAWS for People was founded in 2005. Its court program began several years ago in Cecil County, Md. and expanded to include Harford County. Delaware County is the first county in Pennsylvania where the group will assign therapy dogs.

“Interaction with a dog has been proven to decrease stress,” Barry said. “This is a great way top help people out in these situations.”

Delaware County Council approved the program in July, entering into a $1,000, 12-month contract with PAWS for People.

During the press conference, County Councilman John McBlain said court proceedings could be scary for many people, especially children.

“It is our goal to ease the fears and anxieties of children and their families who must come to court by having a trained therapy dog ready to provide some comfort … It’s our hope that the PAWS for People teams will calm children, their families and others who might be nervous while waiting for their cases to be heard.”

The program will start on Sept. 20 with a total of nine therapy teams that will operate on rotating schedules.

About Rich Schwartzman

Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.

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