Child Advocate Program Set To Appoint LouLou As First Certified Therapy Dog

Press release by Dearborn-Ohio County Child Advocates Lou Lou will be made the Dearborn-Ohio County Child Advocate Program's first certified therapy dog on November 16. Photo provided. On Monday, November 16, 2105, at noon, the Dearborn-Ohio County Child Advocate Program will appoint its first certified therapy dog, LouLou, for the Dearborn and Ohio County Program.  Judge James D. Humphrey will conduct this ceremony in the Circuit Court Room on the second floor of the Dearborn County Court House.  Judge Humphrey oversees the program along with Executive Director, Katrina McIntosh. LouLou became a certified therapy dog on December 7, 2014.  LouLou has spent hours comforting patients at hospitals, being read to by children and providing a soothing presence to children involved with the Court system.  LouLou works with her parents, Alex and Donna Parniuk who are both volunteer advocates.  Alex Parniuk has served as a volunteer since March of 2006; Donna Parniuk has served as a volunteer since March of 2012. LouLou has shown her ability to relax and comfort children suffering from the sometimes traumatic and devastating effects of abuse or neglect.  LouLou’s presence and demeanor has helped many children be more open with child advocates and aid in their healing process.  Child advocates provide a voice for abused or neglected children to the Court to help insure that their needs and best interests are met. This volunteer program began in 1992 under the Honorable Anthony C. Meyer.  For the first ten (10) months of 2015, one hundred twenty-nine (129) Child in Need of Services cases have been filed in Dearborn and Ohio Counties with only 18 volunteers to serve them.  In the State of Indiana there are currently over four thousand (4,000) children waiting for a volunteer advocate to speak for their best interests.  If you know of anyone who may be interested in learning more about becoming a child advocate in Dearborn or Ohio Counties please visit our website at VoiceOfAChild.net.