CANINE ADVOCATES

Provide comfort, support, and relief to victims of child abuse and neglect at child advocacy centers, courthouses, and prosecutor’s offices across Michigan and Ohio.

About Canine Advocates

Canine Advocates is a program of CARE House of Oakland County. We match child advocacy centers and prosecutors’ offices in Michigan with highly trained dogs. Our canines provide direct support to children who have been neglected, abused, or sexually assaulted, as well as to their families and loved ones. They comfort kids during their testimony in court, before and after forensic interviews, therapy appointments, and provide an overall calming presence in the face of trauma. Our canines leave a paw shaped imprint on the hearts of every person they meet.

Meet Our Advocates

  • Abe

    Assigned to the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office.

  • Alfred

    Assigned to Ionia-Montcalm Child Advocacy Center.

  • Arlo

    Assigned to the Clinton County Prosecutor’s Office.

  • Basil

    Assigned to the Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office.

  • Belle

    Assigned to the Cass County Prosecutor’s Office.

  • Carbon

    Assigned to the St. Clair County Prosecutor’s Office.

  • Cully

    Assigned to the Child Advocacy Center of Medina County, Ohio.

  • Daphne

    Assigned to Voices for Children Child Advocacy Center in Flint.

  • Dylan

    Assigned to the Van Buren County Prosecutor’s Office.

  • Eco

    Assigned to the Gladwin County Prosecutor’s Office.

  • Frieda

    Assigned to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office.

  • Jager

    Assigned to the Hillsdale County Prosecutor’s Office.

  • Jellybean

    Assigned to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office.

  • Joey

    Assigned to the Allegan County Prosecutor’s Office.

  • Joey

    Assigned to the Midland County Prosecutor’s Office. (Yes, there are two Joeys!)

  • Kody

    Assigned to the Benzie County Prosecutor’s Office and the Benzie County Sherrif’s Department.

  • Lance

    Assigned to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office and the U.S. District Court in Detroit.

  • Maeve

    Assigned to the Ionia County Prosecutor’s Office.

  • Mowgli

    Assigned to the Shiawassee County Prosecutor’s Office.

  • Pawnee

    Assigned to the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Michigan.

  • Peanut

    Assigned to the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office.

  • Preston

    Assigned to Small Talk Children’s Advocacy Center.

  • Q

    Assigned to the Ottawa County Prosecutor’s Office.

  • Ruby

    Assigned to the Schoolcraft County Prosecutor’s Office.

  • Shane

    Assigned to the Jackson County Child Advocacy Center.

  • Sophie

    Assigned to The Voice for Clinton County’s Children.

  • Strider

    Assigned to the Eaton County Prosecutor’s Office.

  • Tucker

    Assigned to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office.

  • Wyleigh

    Assigned to the Oxford Resiliency Center.

Our History and Founders

Canine Advocates was developed to provide advocacy services to child victims utilizing a highly trained dog to help alleviate the anxiety associated with being involved in the criminal justice system.

Canine Advocates was developed by Daniel Cojanu as result of an idea by a co-worker, Cindy Stanton, while employed at the Oakland County Prosecutors Office as the Supervisor of Victim Services. After researching various programs around the country, it was felt that we desperately needed such a program to assist child victims who were going to be required to testify. Leader Dogs for the Blind in Rochester, MI donated Amos, our very first Canine Advocate to the program. Amos came to us extremely well trained and with the assistance of Leader Dogs, helped us with the training of Amos to work in the court system.

Canine Advocates accepts referrals from all Prosecuting Attorney’s Offices in Michigan as well as Children’s Advocacy Centers and those involved in providing services to children who have been victimized.

How to Request a Canine Advocate

A canine advocate is available to all Michigan Prosecuting Attorney Offices that have children of any age that will be testifying. A canine advocate may also be placed at a Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) in Michigan. Courts and CACs outside of Michigan should contact us for special arrangements.

Click here to learn more!

If you would like more information regarding how your agency can add a canine employee, submit an inquiry to Audrey Wagner at awagner@carehouse.com. Please review the checklist and FAQ.

Retired Advocates

  • Harper

    Harper was one-of-a-kind. She brought love and solace to the children, families, staff, and volunteers at CARE House of Oakland County for three wonderful years. She was a joy to watch as she worked with children. Though her time with us was cut short, Harper made a lasting impression on everyone she met. Many described her as “the sweetest - and softest - dog I’ve ever met.” Harper was a friend to all.

    Thank you, Harper, for giving us your smiles, your cuddles and your love. You truly made a difference in all our lives. We will miss you terribly.

  • Jethro

    Jethro cheerfully served the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney of Iron County for more than 9 years! From his first days in the office, Jethro brought love and comfort to victims of abuse, both young and old.

    Sara Starr, the legal assistant in the office of Iron County Prosecutor Chad A. DeRouin, says Jethro was “an indescribable help” to their office. He assisted numerous children and adult victims, both in the courtroom and in the Prosecutor’s Office.

    Thank you, Jethro!

  • Oscar

    Oscar faithfully and lovingly served the people of Muskegon County at the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney. Oscar was Muskegon County’s first Canine Advocate and started back in 2014!

    His primary handler, Lynn, had this to say about him: "Oscar gives the child a little bit of power. They have control of his leash in the building," she said. "He's a nice distraction. When he's in court, he has to lay down. But animals have intuition and sometimes he puts his head in someone's lap."

    Thank you, Oscar!

  • Penny

    Penny was the first Canine Advocate in Michigan to be placed in an advocacy organization! She lovingly served at the LACASA Center in Livingston, bringing joy and comfort to those who needed it most.

    Penny charmed everyone she met with her soulful eyes and sweet disposition. “I can't even imagine how many lives she made easier and more peaceful simply by her presence,” says one person who worked with Penny.

    Thank you, Penny!

  • Amos

    Amos was the first Canine Advocate in Michigan and worked in Oakland as well as surrounding counties. He worked for 8 years in the program until his sudden illness in June of 2018, when he passed away. He had a distinguished career and will never be forgotten. Amos was a true hero in the eyes of many children, who he helped with his mere presence. His legacy will continue through the Canine Advocates as they pave the way for change in the criminal justice process for the most vulnerable victims.

    Thank you, Amos!

Canine Advocates in the News & Community

Learn more about our phenomenal advocates!

How Canine Advocates Help Victims in Courts (YouTube)

https://youtu.be/Lbsbhn1H8DY?si=VphwALDFmlSVcfHE

Meet Ember

Ember: The Newest Advocate at LACASA Center

PBS Detroit Feature

Canine Advocacy Program Helps Children Through Testimonies, Court Appearances - CBS Detroit

Canine Advocates on WDIV

WDIV Local 4 Story on Harper & the Canine Advocacy Program

Client Testimonials

“Joey is extremely comforting to victims and parents throughout the process and is present for every court hearing, office meeting, and interaction that we have with them. He brings a calming presence and takes away some of the “scaries” of the court process.”

“Lance was working with some siblings on a case. They have been to court many times, unfortunately. But one of the boys, while waiting to testify, decided to dress up Lance and called him ‘SnoopDog.’ The young boy put his hat and sunglasses on Lance, with my permission and we took a picture. During a time when they were waiting to testify in a neglect proceeding against their mother, this moment brought smiles and laughter, all together.  Lance was such a good boy, he loved taking the picture and they both cuddled up and enjoyed each other’s company.” 

“Canine Advocates Frieda and Wyleigh supported terrorism victims, survivors, and family of the children who lost their lives at the sentencing of the Oxford Shooter. Together they assisted over 100 individuals affected by the mass shooting.”

“Cully has helped several individuals who have had negative experiences with dogs to overcome their fear. Once, she sat with a girl that was bitten by a dog, in an effort to show her that a lot of dogs are nice. She bonded with Cully and had a wonderful experience.”

“When five children came into our center to for interviews, Alfred was right there to make them feel comfortable. All five children were interviewed twice, and Alfred was there to make them feel supported every time they came into the center. When time came to go into pre-trial, Alfred went into court to be there to comfort them. He went up and sat on the stand with them and was available when they were feeling nervous. Every time a child started fidgeting and shaking their leg, Alfred would go up to the child to be a wonderful support for them.”

“Tucker was providing support to a victim during a meeting with the assistant prosecutor. I could tell as she talked about what happened, she became very upset, which resulted in her shutting down, refusing to answer questions. Tucker was able to sense this and would lean his big body into her, offering support. He would lay his head in her lap or learn on her throughout the meeting, which provided encouragement and support. For as goofy and silly as he can be, it is always amazing to watch him shift into “work mode” when working with victims and their families.”

Contribute to Canine Advocates

Help support the Canine Advocates by making a donation. Make an even bigger impact when you set up a monthly plan!

Contact

Audrey Wagner

Email:
awagner@carehouse.org

Phone:
(248) 771-0534

CARE House of Oakland County
44765 Woodward Ave
Pontiac, MI. 48341