Doggy Ryan (the puppy days) embarking on his comforting career of service. Ryan, the Seattle Police Department’s “Comfort Dog,” is still a good boy and has been working very hard to take care of his fellow humans here in Seattle.
Ryan, who is a five-year-old English Labrador Retriever, has been with SPD for nearly 3 1/2 years. He works as a Comfort Dog in the Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Unit (SAU). Ryan came from America’s Vet Dogs in New York. During his time at SPD, he has supported 72 children and 43 adults (that’s 115 people!) in so many ways.
“Doggy Ryan,” as he is called by his handler and human mom, Det. Shannon Waldorf supports adult survivors of sexual assault by sitting with them during interviews for up to 2-4 hours with police detectives and lawyers and throughout the entire courthouse experience.
Recently, a sexual assault survivor who Ryan comforted during her interview with a detective, found his comfort again three years later while she read her victim impact statement to a judge at sentencing.
Doggy Ryan also supports juvenile survivors of physical and sexual assault by sitting with them during child forensic interviews. The mother of a 15-year-old survivor recently said having Ryan present during her daughter’s interview was instrumental in calming her nerves and anxiety about the process.
The Children’s Justice Center of King County‘s (CJSKC) recent newsletter highlighted a case involving a young girl who engaged more openly and felt safe during her interview with Ryan by her side:
“Their story underscored the profound impact that trauma-informed, collaborative approaches—sometimes supported by four paws and a wagging tail—can have on a child’s path to safety and justice.” -CJCKC
And this past summer, Ryan sat with a 9-year-old child for nearly six hours during a criminal trial where the child was asked to testify against her mother and mother’s boyfriend in a child abuse/neglect case.
Ryan’s work includes:
- Adult and teen interviews
- Child forensic interviews
- Interviews at schools
- Defense interviews at the courthouse
- Comforting survivors on the witness stand
- “Meet and greets” with a prosecutors
- Supporting survivors during sentencing hearings
Ryan also attends community events focused on helping children and families, working with the Ronald McDonald House and Seattle Children’s Hospital. Earlier this year, Ryan was even requested at the Children’s Craniofacial Association family retreat event. Ryan’s continuing service improves so many people’s lives.
“Comfort Dog Ryan and his person, Shannon, met each child at the Ronald McDonald House with the warmth and peace that only a highly trained and intuitive team can provide. We loved having them here!” –Marla Malone, Meal Program & Activities Manager
The City of Seattle and our police department are continuously grateful for Comfort Dog Ryan and Det. Waldorf for all the work that they do, and for helping survivors through their often-difficult journey in the criminal justice system.
