Service Dog Retires After Helping Over 500 Children

Kasha is a yellow Labrador Retriever. She worked at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Northeast Louisiana where she tended to over 500 abused and traumatized children for three years.

According to an advocate for the CAC, and Kasha’s caregiver named Macy Avery Kasha has a unique way of helping kids calm down and feel comfortable.

She was awarded a medal on Wednesday morning at the Center for Children & Families in Monroe. This NGO has locations across Louisiana and Mississippi that serve as an umbrella for the CAC, Court Appointed Special Advocates of Northeast Louisiana, Brokers of Hope, Family Support & Youth Transition, and Therapeutic Services divisions.

The CAC assists roughly 300 children per year at the Monroe location, where children who are victims of sexual abuse, physical abuse, human trafficking, or witness to violent crimes are eased into forensic interviews which helps to reduce additional trauma.

Kasha’s duties involved laying beside the kids to help them fall asleep and offering emotional support. In some interviews, children would reach over to Kasha and pet her as a soothing technique when talking about difficult subjects. Some children would even find Kasha as soon as they walked in. Kasha helps them to melt their fears away and overcome nervousness.

Unfortunately, Kasha had to retire because her caregiver was offered a job outside of the CAC. During her retirement, she will play and live out her days on Avery’s farm with all of her brothers and sisters. The organization is forever grateful for their contribution and is likely to hire another service dog to pick up where she left off.

Image Credit: Children’s Advocacy Center