CCN Paws for Empowerment

What is Paws for Empowerment?

Penny, canine advocate, participating in bibliotherapy with two CCN child volunteers.

In 2010, Crisis Center North launched one of the Pennsylvania’s first animal assisted therapy projects in the field of victim services. The Center’s project began as a direct result of one young boy’s experience in counseling, a story that clearly illustrates the power of the human/animal bond.

Steven (name changed to protect confidentiality) was a client in CCN’s children’s counseling program. Steven’s mother and the Center’s counselor became concerned after several months of counseling, due to his resistance to actively participating in counseling sessions. Steven was unwilling to disclose his feelings about the violence he and his mother had been subject to at home.

One day, on the way into a counseling appointment, Steven became very excited when spotting a dog that was also entering the Center. Upon seeing “Penny,” a rescued spaniel mix, Steven ran over to the dog and excitedly began talking to her. Steven told Penny that he really didn’t want to go to counseling. The Director told Steven that Penny very much enjoyed attending counseling and asked Steven, if Penny could join him in his session. Steven enthusiastically agreed.

Upon conclusion of the session, the children’s counselor shared that Steven made more progress in that one session than he had in the past six months. Intrigued, the Director began researching the benefits of animal assisted therapy. Shortly thereafter, a new CCN service was born.

Since then, CCN's Paws For Empowerment program has grown to include canine counseling and courtroom accompaniment services for victims, and, with funding from Verizon, to veterinary clinics to address the co-occurrence of domestic violence and animal abuse. In addition, canine Ari has joined the Paws team as an advcocate in training.

Canine advocate-in-training Ari providing comfort to a child volunteer.

Read more about the program in the news:

In Pittsburgh courtrooms, this soothing dog is a therapist and victim advocate - Pittsburgh Tribune Review, 2017

Crisis Center North Working with PVSEC, Verizon to Expand Paws for Empowerment Program - North Hills Monthly Magazine, 2017

State honors dog therapy program that helps domestic violence victims - Pittsburgh Tribune Review, 2017


What will my donation do?

Your donation will allow CCN to continue to provide canine counseling and courtroom accompaniment services to victims of domestic violence, and also support our work with local veterinarian clinics to help us provide services to all victims (and their pets).

Specifically, your donations may be used to help fund training opportunities for Penny or Ari (but especially Ari as he is young with much to learn!), pay for grooming or health services for our canine advocates, or any other sort of expense related to keeping Penny and Ari safe, happy, healthy, and able to support victims.

Please support Penny, Ari, and the Paws for Empowerment Program as we seek to make a difference in the lives of victims!