Therapy Dogs - WKTV Journal

Jeanne Lewis, proud owner of Rosie the dog and co-founder of West Michigan Therapy Dogs, now in its 25th year. (WKTV/Colleen Pierson)

By Colleen Pierson
WKTV Contributor
greer@wktv.org

There was a proclamation from Governor Whitmer, numerous awards given out to volunteers, and lots of tail wagging going on.

I was at the Kent County Courthouse on April 30 to celebrate two powerful milestones — eight years of the Courthouse Therapy Dog Program and 25 years of service by West Michigan Therapy Dogs (WMTD). The event featured Michigan Supreme Court justice Elizabeth M. Welch, who presented an official resolution honoring both of the programs profound impact in our community.

On any given day, a courtroom can feel intimidating — sterile, formal, and heavy with emotion. For children and vulnerable adults, the experience of testifying can be overwhelming and very stressful. But in Kent County, something remarkable has been quietly reshaping that reality for the past eight years: the steady, comforting presence of therapy dogs.

Therapy dog Rosie was on-hand at the celebration at Kent County Courthouse. (WKTV/Colleen Pierson)

At the heart of this initiative is a simple yet deeply human truth: connection matters.

“You can’t replicate, you can’t buy it — that human-animal connection,” said Heather McCormick, President of West Michigan Therapy Dogs. Her words reflect what many in the courtroom have witnessed firsthand. “I have seen a child testifying, and a dog puts their head on their lap — brings calm. They offer so much.”

What they offer goes far beyond companionship. Since it’s launch in 2018 in partnership with Kent Circuit Court and the 61st and 63rd District Court, the program has expanded across the county, placing specially trained therapy dog teams in courtrooms where they are needed most. These dogs provide a steady presence that helps reduce anxiety, improve focus and improve stress levels of witnesses.

State of Michigan/Michigan Supreme Court Special Tribute to West Michigan Therapy Dogs.

Judge Kathleen Feeney, who initiated the use of therapy dogs in the courtroom in 2017, has seen the transformation unfold.

“We saw so many changes in the courtroom with the dogs,” she explained. “Kids had increased confidence while testifying. The dogs provide comfort. Victims think more clearly, and they realize they are not alone.”

The therapy dogs don’t interrupt proceedings or change the facts of a case, but they transform how people experience one of the most difficult moments of their lives; testifying in a court case.

West Michigan Therapy Dogs began with vision and compassion 25 years ago. Jeanne Lewis, proud owner of Rosie the dog and co-founder of the group, helped establish the organization with a clear purpose.

“I started the group to promote what dogs are capable of. They have so much to offer.”

For volunteers like Ron Roden, whose golden retriever Kaiser has become a beloved presence, the work feels almost instinctive.

“Kaiser was born to do this,” Roden said with pride. “He loves to give people hugs and will just lay his head on shoulders for a calming effect.”

Ron Roden with therapy dog Kaiser. (WKTV/Colleen Pierson)

Therapy dogs are used in hospitals, schools, airports, grief centers, libraries and courtrooms, just to name a few.

The courtroom is a place often defined by tension and testimony, these dogs bring something rare—comfort without condition, presence without pressure, and healing without words.

And sometimes, that’s exactly what’s needed most.

Onyx, a four-year-old black Labrador Retriever, has become a beloved member of the Davenport Community and has captured the hearts of faculty, staff and students (Courtesy, Davenport University)

By WKTV Staff

deborah@wktv.org

Two years ago, Davenport University welcomed a very special employee to campus, Onyx the therapy dog. The four-year-old black Labrador Retriever has since become a beloved member of the Davenport Community and has captured the hearts of faculty, staff and students.

Brett Windsor, Assistant Director of Davenport’s Department of Public Safety, was instrumental in bringing Onyx to campus.

“In my previous role with the University of Michigan Health-West hospital, I witnessed people suffering from mental health crises and wanted to provide more support to those individuals in need,” said Windsor.

“When I transitioned to Davenport, I responded to multiple student residents with mental health needs, so I knew our team could use a therapy dog to better connect with them and the entire Davenport community.”

Putting her best paw forward

Thanks to the Davenport University M.E. Legacy Endowment Fund grant, Windsor brought his therapy dog program to life by working with Paws With A Cause, an international nonprofit organization headquartered in Wayland, MI.

Onyx had already completed a year and a half of training when she was selected to join the Davenport family. Another 18 weeks of training with Windsor followed so she could put her best paw forward when she arrived on campus.

Windsor said what makes Onyx special is that she can adapt her demeanor to match the students’ moods.

“Some students prefer a more energetic version of Onyx, where she is standing up and passing out kisses, and some prefer her lying down in a calm manner,” he said. “She can actually judge what each person is looking for. She is a happy, excited dog who loves to meet people and be petted.”

Onyx is putting her innate talent to good use, joining Windsor on around 100 hours of community engagement this school year alone. Events have included classroom visits, freshman orientations, Davenport athletic events, new hire orientations, National Night Out, Hanger Clinic Adaptive Field Day and more.

“This was 100 hours of Onyx and the Public Safety team having conversations that wouldn’t have happened otherwise, and 100 hours of brightening peoples’ day,” said Windsor.

Having therapy dogs on campus provides a sense of calm to students in a typically high-stress time (Courtesy, Davenport University)

A sense of calm during chaos

One of the pair’s highlights came recently when they welcomed the West Michigan Therapy Dogs to the Academic Building on the W.A. Lettinga Grand Rapids Campus to provide emotional support to students during finals week.

According to Danielle Pipal, Assistant Director for Student Life, the therapy dogs have visited campus during finals week for about 10 years, and it might be one of the students’ favorite days of the year.

“Having the dogs on campus provides a sense of calm to our students in a typically high-stress time,” said Pipal. “Exams are certainly stressful, and many of our students haven’t been home in a while, which adds another stress level. Seeing the dogs on campus provides a sense of safety and comfort while they are wrapping up the semester.”

For Onyx, attending these events and helping out at the Wellness Center on the Lettinga Grand Rapids Campus isn’t just another day on the job; she seems to enjoy it.

“She likes to see her friends on campus every day, loves to play fetch in the gym and roll around in the grass in the summer and the snow in the winter. She’s just an all-around great dog,” Windsor said.

“Studies have shown that interacting with pets can significantly reduce cortisol levels, which are known stress indicators,” said Windsor. “Onyx’s addition to the team gives us a tool to diffuse difficult situations and help students relax. She has already proven herself to be a valuable resource to the Davenport Community.”