Stearns County Honors Therapy Animals: April 30th Declared National Therapy Animal Day

(KNSI) – Stearns County is honoring some furry four-legged friends who help people through the worst times.

The board of commissioners is joined by numerous other local governments nationwide in declaring April 30th as National Therapy Animal Day in Stearns County. Four teams of therapy dogs, and Stearns County’s court facility dog Nova, and their handlers came before the board last week to be recognized.

Stearns County

Thanks to the Central Minnesota Therapy Animal Association, 33 teams work in the region. The dogs are trained to help ease fear, anxiety, recovery times, and learning abilities in people suffering from physical injuries or mental health issues. They are used in nursing homes, hospitals, clinics, courts, hospice centers, universities, high schools, and libraries.

Last year, Stearns County’s court facility dog Nova became the first in the state to accompany a witness on the stand while she testified against a man who sexually abused her. More district courts in Minnesota are now working on adding their own therapy K9s.

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