OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – An Oshkosh domestic violence shelter now has a four-legged member on its staff.
The furry addition at Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services is meant to comfort survivors.
His name is Ross. He’s a three-year-old rescue mixed breed that’s now trained, and at the shelter to provide emotional support to abuse survivors.
The shelter’s executive director, Beth Oswald, tells FOX 11…
“It was really our shelter services coordinator that just felt strongly that we should have that animal, and that unconditional love that an animal brings.”
Ross came to the abuse shelter from the prison system. Oswald says he was trained by inmates through a restorative justice program.
“The dogs live in the prison with the prisoners and with the offenders, possibly of some of our victims.”
Oswald says Ross has been a beacon of light in sessions with survivors, even with those coming from the most traumatic circumstances.
“Ross came in, sat next to the client, leaned right up against her and the client just kind of started playing with his ears and his feet, and she was able to just calm down, and then talk and process through some of the trauma that she experienced, so within seconds he can get people to talk.”
Those working at Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services say Ross seems to know and gravitate to those who need him the most.
“He knows when somebody is having a rough day,” said Oswald.
“Ross will walk around the room and check-in with everybody and nudge your leg and, ‘Okay, hi Ross, okay I’m calm, I’m good.’ It’s interesting in meetings because he’ll find that one person, like ‘Oh, you needed to see Ross today!’”
The three-year-old support dog is trained to stay quiet and to not be distracted by loud noises.
Oswald says Ross is snuggling nicely into his new position.
“It’s been amazing to watch the room just deescalate and clients just deescalate.”
Ross was trained through the Journey Together Service Dog program offered at the Oshkosh Correctional Facility.
