Warm
brown eyes that
listen and
understand. A
wall full of
professional
credentials.
Trust earned
with patience
and love. For
the past 21
years, this is
what 2,000
children and
non-offending
family members
have experienced
at Northeast's
Sexual Abuse
Treatment
Program.
Angela Baris is
the program
coordinator, and
Anni is Angela's
certified
therapy dog.
Anni has assumed
the role
previously held
by Sunny, who
passed away
after 15 years
of dedicated
service.
The traumatized
children sent to
Angela and her
staff often get
on the floor
with Anni and
softly tell her
their story.
"When we assess
a child, I'll
say, 'Anni would
like to ask you
some questions,
but she can't,'"
Angela says.
"'May we ask you
questions? You
don't have to
look at us. You
can look at Anni.'"
Anni helps the
children in
other ways too.
"Kids who have
been sexually
abused have been
robbed of
control over
their own
bodies," Angela
explains. "Some
have been
removed from
their homes. But
when they see
Anni, they
think, 'I'm
bigger and
stronger. I'm in
control here.'"
Angela
encourages the
children to
throw the ball
to Anni. "The
commands reach a
crescendo -
'Out!!' Anni
spits the ball
out and waits
for the child to
throw it again,
and the child
feels more in
control."
When their
treatment
sessions end,
each child has a
graduation party
and receives a
certificate.
"The kids choose
the guest list,
beverages, food,
and dessert,"
Angela says.
"Every child
invites Anni."
Seeing Anni
entices the
children to come
back. "The
children ask,
'Is Anni going
to be here
today? Will she
remember me?'
She always
does."
