Poway Dog to Aid Assault Victims

Volunteers, funds sought for innovative new program

by David Garrick

Patterson, a Poway resident, has been taking Silverado around town to get him accustomed to crowds and teaching him to obey commands while he trains to become a service dog for a victim of rape, assault or stalking.

He is part of an innovative new program begun last year by Sherri Goldstein, a licensed therapist in North Park.

"I had a client who was raped and assaulted and she commented that my office was teh only place she felt safe because of the dogs here," said Goldstein, who calls her group Service Dogs for Victims of Assault.

Twenty-two dogs have been placed with victims so far, with several more victims on a waiting list that continues to grow.

The program, the only one of its kind in the area, badly needs financial contributions and volunteer families to house the dogs while they train for their missions.

Patterson's family is doing just that, but they are one of only three families in San Diego County providing foster homes for these dogs while they train.

"We are looking for environments that give them a good place for socialisation," said Goldstein.

Silverado is the third dog Patterson has housed and she highly recommends the experience for anyone who likes dogs.

While Patterson does some training herself, foster families are not responsible for any training. The dogs attend a couple training sessions a week outside the home.

Foster families are encouraged to take the dog out in public and get the animal some exercise but the duties do not go much beyond that.

Goldstein provides food, leashes and any other supplies the dog needs. She is funding the program out of her own pocket but has received a few donations and charges teh victims $700 for the dog.

Training takes a whole year but foster families can choose to house a dog for just a few weeks.

Patterson said her two sons enjoy playing with the dog and that the whole family feels great about helping victims.

"If they had been raped they have a fear of the person coming back after them," she said. "the dog will go everywhere with the person so they won't fear going out in public any more."

Virtually all the dogs come from animal shelters. They must be purebred German Shepherds and pass temperament tests.

Victims are referred to Goldstein by the Distric Attorney's Office. They must have police or court records and a recommendation from a doctor, therapist or counselor. Victims of spousal abuse do not qualify.

Some judges have forced convicted attackers to pay the $700 fee for the dog.

Reprinted from February 8, 2001 "PowayNews"