Man’s best friend may soon be comforting crime victims in Lincoln County. Child Victim Crime Advocate Abriana DeLena has worked in the Wiscasset district attorney’s office for 16 months. In that time, she has worked with many children in preparation for their testimony in criminal matters. During a recent interaction, the child told DeLena how she wished her dog could be with her. “Many people are victimized by the ones they love most,” DeLena said. “Their parents, significant others and close relatives. Dogs have the ability to comfort a person as they relive their worst traumas.”

And DeLena wants to bring her dog to work as a trained therapy dog. She believes the calming influence of a loving pet would benefit the victim and entire DA’s office staff who often deal with serious traumatic cases. On May 3, DeLena submitted a proposal to the county commissioners for establishing a canine therapy support program. She told commissioners the program would be similar to one in her home county in northern Maine.  In March, Aroostook County became the first courthouse in Maine to adopt a dedicated therapy dog program for providing emotional support to victims preparing for their testimony. District Attorney Todd Collins, D-Aroostook, initiated the program for helping traumatized crime victims and providing emotional support for law enforcement, first responders and others in northern Maine courthouses. Collins told the Associated Press in March, the dog will undergo nearly two years of training prior to providing therapy. 

DeLena requested the county use her yellow Labrador retriever, Marlin, as the therapy dog. During the commissioners’ meeting, DeLena recounted how her previous dog, Radley, also a yellow Lab, comforted her as she moved from Aroostook County to southern Maine. As part of the program, DeLena requested the county pay for her dog’s training at a Lewiston facility. 

Lincoln County is in Maine Prosecutorial District 6 which also includes Sagadahoc, Waldo and Knox. Natasha Irving is the district attorney. She endorsed DeLena’s proposal. “Todd Collins is an innovative prosecutor who introduced this program. I have great respect for him and this sounds like an amazing program. It would help our office, and it has my full support,” she said. 

Lincoln County has a canine working at the sheriff’s department. The German shepherd is used mainly for drug searches. A major difference between the sheriff’s department’s and district attorney’s dog would be ownership. The county bought its canine, but under DeLena’s proposal she would retain ownership. She would also arrange for her dog’s training in Lewiston. Christy Gardener is a therapy dog trainer. She attended the commissioners’ meeting via Zoom. Gardner reported her lessons cost $25 apiece and likely the puppy would  require a “couple per month” for one year. 

DeLena requested the county pay for the training and reimburse her for mileage and additional dog treats. Once the dog is trained, it would begin accompanying DeLena to the Wiscasset district attorney’s office. But DeLena doesn’t expect a therapy dog to stay in the office every day. “Whenever we need him for testimony preparation and a few other days besides that,” she said. “Dogs have a soothing effect on people. Our staff deals with many serious issues, and it would be good for them having a dog around.”

Commissioners tabled her request, and asked for a more detailed financial proposal regarding the therapy dog’s training and expenses.