The patter of small feet is nothing new at Family Service & Guidance Center, a mental health center for children and families.

But lately, some of the patter has been of the four-legged variety, thanks to Magnolia.

Magnolia - or Maggie - is a yellow Labrador retriever and the newest member of the Family Service & Guidance Center staff. She is the agency's first "social dog."

"Maggie is amazing," Brenda Mills, CEO of Family Service & Guidance Center said. "It's like having a second therapist in the room."

Maggie has undergone extensive training, spending several months working at KSDS, a non-profit organization in Washington, KS, that trains dogs to assist and work with individuals with a range of disabilities.

Daniel Casement is a Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker who has been trained to use a social dog in therapy. He began bringing Maggie to the FSGC office in February 2011. Once Maggie was oriented to her new work surroundings, Casement began utilizing her with his young clients in early March. It wasn't long before Maggie had made a big impact.

"The first thing they ask when we meet in the lobby now is, 'Did you bring Maggie today?'"

Children and families who choose to work with Maggie start off with greeting time where she goes around and greets the new people in the room, which usually involves a lot of sniffing and petting. Once she gets to know them, she lays down - sometimes next to Casement, sometimes next to the client, sometimes on her rug in a corner of the room.

Maggie works with the child and family much like her human counterpart: she reads the situation and emotions and responds. For example, when a client or family gets upset and raises their voice, Maggie is trained to get up and go to the most upset person and either stand or sit next to them or put her head on their leg. This has a calming effect on the client and de-escalates the situation so productive therapy can continue.

Casement said that Maggie can connect with children - especially victims of neglect, abuse or bullying - when adults often can't.

"Many of the children and teens I work with have basically learned that people can’t be trusted, especially adults. They've been hurt too badly to let down their walls to another person," Casement explained.

"This is where Maggie comes into play: being a dog, she doesn't hold grudges, can't tell others your secrets, will not judge you, completely accepts you and is always happy to see you."

He said this kind of unconditional acceptance and positive regard is natural for a trained social dog and can play a crucial rule in the success of a child's therapy.

"Maggie can simply brighten a bad day or reach out to a badly abused child. She helps show that it's safe to trust and love and that you won't get hurt in return. It's these skills that make her an invaluable co-therapist."

Family Service & Guidance Center is a non-profit community mental health center that provides a full range of mental health care services to children and their families. FSGC has been serving Shawnee County since 1904.
To learn more about Maggie or any of the programs and services offered at Family Service & Guidance Center, contact Amy Burns, JD, Director of Marketing and Development, at 785.232.7902 or aburns@fsgctopeka.com.