(bright upbeat music) - Welcome to Forum 360.

I'm Stephanie York, your host today.

Thank you for joining us for a Global Outlook with a Local View.

Today we're here with Tater Tot, Summit County Juvenile Court's therapy dog, and with Tater Tot is Geoff Auerbach, Tater Tots handler, and Magistrate Amber Crowe.

Tater Tot is thought to be one of the only therapy dogs working in Ohio juvenile courts and with a court appointed special advocates program, which advocates for abuse and neglected children.

Thank you Geoff and Amber for being here today- - Thank you.

- And for joining us.

And thank you Tater Tot.

(group laughing) Aren't you the cute one?

- You've made a friend already.

- Yes, this is gonna be really hard to get through because I'm gonna wanna play with the dog all day!

So, can you both just begin (dog shaking) by telling me a little bit about yourselves and what you do for the court?

- You go first (laughs).

- So, I'm a guardian ad litem at the juvenile court.

What that is, is I am the voice for kids in the courtroom, kids whose parents are accused of abuse or neglect.

I get assigned their case and work alongside them throughout the duration of that case, just to make sure that their wishes are known to the court.

- [Stephanie] Nice, how long have you been doing that?

- (inhales) I started off as a volunteer, did that for about two years, and I think I've been here three years now.

- Okay.

- Yeah.

- Great, and what do you do, Amber?

I know you're a Magistrate- - Yeah, you stole my thunder.

- Yeah.

- I'm magistrate.

(group laughing) - So, what that means is that I preside over cases for delinquency, which are cases that would bring kids before the court.

So, if they had committed a crime, if they had been an adult, that's what a delinquency is.

I deal with abuse, neglect, independency cases.

I also deal with traffic, unruly and I preside over the Restore Court Docket.

- Okay, that's a lot.

(laughing together) That's a lot.

Probably rewarding though, to get kids in, you know, on the right track and doin' the right thing and- - When you see it, it's amazing.

- Yeah.

So, tell me about this fella here!

- So, Tater Tot, so what do you wanna know?

How far back.

- I wanna know everything.

- Do we go (laughs)?

- How old is he?

- Let's start with how old he is, what kind of breed he is.

- Okay, Tater Tot's gonna be six years old this year.

- [Stephanie] Okay.

- [Geoff] He's a Border Collie, three-quarters Border Collie, one-quarter Lab.

Yeah you.

- Oh, (laughs).

- And he was raised in a prison in Kansas- - Really!

- Trained by an inmate for a year and a half.

And yeah, I- - Do you know anything about the training process there?

How does that work?

- I don't- I know the program's- - Okay.

- Been doing it for about 20 years and- - That sounds (microphone rumbling) really fascinating too.

- It, yeah.

They, they had about, I think 12 dogs in his graduating class.

- Okay.

- Tater Tot was trained for me to work alongside veterans with PTSD at the time.

But they were dogs that had diabetic alert dogs- for kids who were in school.

- Oh wow.

- So they didn't have - Sure.

- To test all the time, all sorts of stuff, so.

- Wow!

And how did Tater Tot get his name?

- Mm.

(Stephanie laughs) - Well he came with a different name, that was a little more formal.

I only use it when he is being really bad, which is rare, thankfully.

(Stephanie laughs) - I was about to say, he looks pretty calm.

- Looks pretty calm.

And I just wanted a fun name.

- Yeah.

- Something that would.

- You know, resonate with kids, had a friend suggest it.

And I was like, that's the one.

- It's perfect.

- That's what I did.

- And I saw.

- Your license plate.

It says Tater Tot.

- Yes!

- It does.

- So, that's pretty awesome.

- Right, it's misspelled 'cause somebody else got actual Tater Tot (Stephanie sighs) and I wonder who that person is or what- motivated them.

- Right.

- And what motivated them.

- Yeah.

- Right, okay.

So, is this the first therapy dog that you guys have had at juvenile court, do you know?

- Yes, yes at juvenile court.

It is.

- Yes.

- We have one from the prosecutor's office- who comes in.

- Okay.

- Avery and now Adam.

There's also one with the Turning Point Tank.

- [Amber] Turning Point Tank.

- Okay.

- That's for.

- [Amber] The common police court downtown.

- There we go.

- [Stephanie] Okay, so, each court has like their own little thing going on.

- Yeah.

- But this is really special 'cause Tater talk gets to work with kids, right, all the time.

- Yeah.

- Well they do too, but yeah, he's, you know, because of my role in the caseload that I have- - Yeah.

- He gets to work directly.

- With the kids on my caseload as well as the, you know, we have 200 volunteers as well, and a lot of them aren't trained to be able to take on the vicarious trauma- - Sure.

- Of what they hear.

- In the courtroom, so they can come down and get, you know, some love.

We have what's called the Tater Tot cuddle corner- - Ooh.

- We have couches.

- And a library and nice lighting.

And it's just a place to come and you know, one of his commands is, hug, and they get hugs and all sorts of stuff (laughs).

It's her favorite.

- It's my favorite.

- So, can you show me?

A hug.

- Yeah, you want a hug?

- Do you want a hug?

- Yeah, I do.

- Okay, you usually have to get down to his level.

- Okay, I'll get down.

- Hello!

(dog jumping) (group laughing) Okay, hug and a smooch.

Wow!

- Oh, and a kiss.

- That was a two-fer.

- Thank you!

- That was a two-fer.

- Thank you Tater Tot!

(Geoff laughs) - Oh, that's why he's the Chief Cuddle Officer.

- Yes.

- Oh, totally.

- Do the kids warm up to Tater Tot pretty well?

- They do.

You know, I, so the idea in my mind of working with a dog alongside me, I lived in London for a few years and I worked at a no-kill dog shelter there.

- And they had a special program where they would bring in youth offenders.

- Right, yeah.

- And have them train dogs for rehoming as part of their reparation hours.

Just taking a look around.

- Yeah, all right.

- And- - You do you Tater Tot.

(laughing together) - And there, I immediately saw that the dog was kind of the chisel for the ice that forms around teenagers, who are being defiant or kind of- - Sure.

- In a place in their life.

- Where they don't want to communicate with adults, he is the thing that gets me quick access, quick rapport.

So- - That's great.

- So, how many commands does Tater Tot know?

About?

- Well, he knew 56.

- Okay.

(group laughing) - Under my- - As he gets older.

- He forgets.

- Well under my tutelage.

- Yes, It’s down to about 12.

(group laughing) - 12 important ones!

12 important commands (laughs).

- Really, it's, I mean, it's his obedience and he's intuitive.

(dog panting) He'll sit under a table with a kid during their hearing, and if they become emotional- - Okay.

- He'll kind of stand up and put his head on their lap.

- Really!

- And it's like.

- He knows that they need him in that moment and- - Really!

- Yeah.

- He diffuses situations, makes things a little calmer.

- I can see how he could do that.

- [Geoff] Yeah!

- So, what other commands does he know?

Like something you could show us?

- Hmm, well, let's see here.

It's just general obedience really.

I mean, - Okay.

- So, he was taught, he was taught to do things like, you know, he can push open doors.

- Oh!

- He can turn off lights.

- Oh!

- He knows direction.

- And functional things like that.

- That's great.

- So, it's not.

- Really trick stuff.

- Yeah, yeah, no.

- That's really interesting.

- Yeah.

- So, does he work in the Restore Court?

I think I read that.

Tell me about the Restore Court.

- He does.

So, Restore Court has been around since 2015.

It's the only certified specialized docket for juvenile victims of human trafficking, or those who are at high risk of exploitation.

I hate using the words human trafficking really.

It's just an exploitation- of vulnerabilities.

- Absolutely.

- And so I'm lucky enough to get to preside over that court.

I've been involved with that court since 2018 when I was the guardian ad litem.

But now seeing Tater Tot working with the kids- it's fantastic!

- Yeah.

- Because I think I've described it as the calm in the storm.

Sometimes our hearings are really, really great and people are killin' it with their orders and their goals.

And then sometimes, as Geoff knows, it can be a little tumultuous, a little chaotic.

- [Stephanie] Sure.

- And Tater Tot, like Geoff said, is intuitive.

He calms, he's there.

I don't even know he's there, but I can see kind of this- - Oh!

- Under the bench.

- That's nice.

- You know what I mean?

- And so he's fantastic with the kids that really, really need it.

- What do you think it is about dogs or this dog in particular that people bond with?

(Geoff sighs) - I mean, I came.

- Yeah.

- When I came- I just like.

- Your bond was immediate.

- Saw you in the parking lot.

- Immediate!

- You ran over.

- I was in the parking lot.

- I could barely park.

I was like- - Yeah.

- I could see you.

- I gotta get out - and see this dog.

(laughing together) - And he waited for me to come over.

- Yeah.

- You know, he was down and it was just incredible.

- Yeah.

- And then he just knew.

- I think- - He knew that I liked him.

- Yeah.

- Like, I'm sure.

- There's some kids that are scared of dogs.

- Sure, yeah.

- And it takes a while to acclimate- and stuff.

- Yeah.

- And I assume that Tater Tot can recognize that as well.

- Mm mm, yeah.

- And stays away.

- And kind of lets them come to- - Yeah, exactly right.

- He meets them where they're at.

He's not gonna force himself- into the amazing situation.

- Amazing.

- He waits for them to open up.

And I think he, I've watched him kind of approach slowly.

Maybe start with like a knee nudge or a hand nudge.

- Yeah.

- And before you know it, kids are coming in.

"Where's Tater Tot?

"Where's Geoff?

"Where's Tater Tot?"

- Yeah.

- You’re right here (laughs).

- Is Tater Tot there every day- - Every day.

- At court.

- Okay, wow!

So, people, does anybody come just to see Tater Tot?

- Ah, sometimes, well, people swing by the office- - Yeah.

Yeah.

- Just to.

- You know, they're like, "You're cool, but where's, where's your dog?"

- Yeah.

(Geoff laughs) So, do you have a little complex about that?

- No, it's fine!

(group laughing) - You know, I really like you- - I did.

- But I need to see your dog.

- I would do it to people too- I get it.

- Yeah.

- I’ve done it, I'm not sorry.

- Absolutely.

- I would be doing that.

So, I wanna remind our viewers and those who may have joined late, that we are here with Tater Tot, the Summit County Juvenile Court Therapy dog, Tater Tots handler, Geoff Auerbach and Magistrate Amber Crowe are also here with us explaining how the court functions and what they do and how Tater Tot fits into the system.

So, how many kids come through the juvenile court system a year?

Do you know that?

I mean- - [Amber] I cannot even begin- to estimate that.

- It's just... - [Geoff] It's just a question for Terry.

- Yeah.

- [Amber] I know that we serve a lot of families, we serve a lot of kids, some in almost dual capacities.

Like some might have a delinquency- and unruly case.

- Okay.

- But also might have a companion open CSB case.

You know.

- Yeah.

- So there are are things like that, that happen where we're serving families in different roles.

- Right.

I know, I have not been there.

My husband's been there once.

My son got a traffic ticket, you know, when he was underage (group laughing) and had to go in and then I think he had to bring food to- - Oh yeah!

- Yeah.

- And I like those- programs too!

- Donate food.

- And then you can like get- off the ticket.

- Oh, nice.

- That was your penalty- for first time.

- Okay.

- The use of philanthropy and- - Yeah, it was very cool.

And he had to take a little class or whatever, but that might've been the second offense, you know.

(Geoff laughs) You know, lead foot.

(Amber laughing) He's 23 now.

He’s over that.

So, do the staff then get to come play with Tater Tot?

- Sure, yeah.

- So, the staff in our office, we have, I think, 17 we're one of the bigger offices in the court.

And then other staff members come up where I'll walk around the lobbies.

- [Stephanie] Yeah.

- Just to see if there are families that are interested or even, like fellow coworkers.

- So, what I find fascinating is I have a dog who is totally food-motivated.

And I have to spell the word T-R-E-A-T, treat, (Amber laughs) because if I say it, well, first of all, if I spell it, I think he knows- how to spell now, too.

- Yeah, he's there, yeah.

- So, like, he's motivated only by food.

If I don't have food, he's like, you know- ignoring me.

- Ignoring you.

- This dog is not trained with treats.

- Right, yeah.

He was praise-trained is what they told me.

Which is just, you know, a high pitched, "Good boy," goes a long way.

So, no treats.

And also I've told this story before, but part of the certification when I went to Kansas to get him, was called the cheeseburger test.

And I had to put him in a down-stay in the food court in the mall.

- [Stephanie] Oh my gosh.

- And walk away with him under the table by himself.

And somebody walked by, dropped a hot cheeseburger in his face and he wasn't allowed to move, and he didn't- - I'm not sure I'd pass that test (laughs).

- I would definitely, I would not pass that, ten-second rule, I would be- - That's amazing!

- Yeah.

- But he does eat, he likes his food- - Loves his food.

- Love's his food, yeah.

- Yeah, he's just not food motivated.

- Right.

Just praise-motivated.

Oh, if I could just transfer.

- Yeah.

- Some of that to my dog.

- Yeah, yeah.

- I'd be so much richer.

(Amber laughs) - Every dog I've had before him has been a nightmare in terms of food.

- Yeah, and I think my dog eats better than I do- sometimes though.

- Yeah.

- That's the way it should be.

That's the way it should be.

- So, how has the therapy dog changed the atmosphere in the court, like- - I think it's decompression.

I think it's decompressed.

It's almost like when you see Tater Tot (blows air)- - Right.

- There's a sigh of relief.

- My first encounter with Tater Tot was the hug.

Like, so when I first met Tater Tot, Geoff told me, "He knows how to hug," and I said he knows how to what?

(group laughing) And I sat down and I got a hug.

And it was amazing, because you have some really high pressure days- - Sure.

- With things.

- That are going on.

Went home, told my animals, I said, we're having a family meeting.

(group laughing) 'Cause there's this dog at work who knows how to hug.

Now, mine are also treat-driven.

- Right.

- What are you guys doin'?

- But it's just when you're dealing with stress, you know what I mean?

And we're really trying to make sure- - Sure.

- We're maximizing our efforts to serve these families, it's nice to come out and deal with somebody who's not looking for anything.

- Right.

- The only thing.

- He wants to do is make you happy.

- Right.

- You know.

- Back to that intuition.

- Yeah.

- So, it's amazing.

I think that it really just leads to us being able to breathe for a moment.

- How does Tater Tot get along with the other court dogs?

- Well, he was trained to ignore other animals.

So, he doesn't- - Really.

care who's around.

(Amber laughs) And they, for the most part- - Fascinating.

- Are fine too, yeah.

- I mean, boy, I did a really bad job at training my dog- (group laughing) who goes ballistic.

- Yeah.

- If any other dog or animal or squirrel or- anything - Until you have it, - You're like, oh my God, I didn't know they could- be like that.

- I did not know.

- Like, I need to go back- to dog training school.

- Yeah, I think, okay.

- But to that question (clears throat), I run him in the mornings- - Okay.

- On the way in and people will stop and he'll run up and drop the ball for them and they'll throw the ball and you know, your brain isn't quite activated at 7:45- in the morning.

- Sure.

- But to see people smile and like thank me and thank him and- Right.

- Be excited.

- To walk into work, I think just speaks volumes.

- That's amazing.

- Yeah.

- So, at the courthouse, he follows you around?

- Yeah.

- Did you have him on a leash?

- Yeah, I'll usually have him a leash.

- Okay.

- Well I'll just keep him.

- He loves to stay under my desk.

- Okay.

- So, I can run around and do quick things if I need to and come back and- - Dang!

- Yeah.

- Dang!

(Amber and Geoff laugh) - So, how often does he get outside during the day?

- [Geoff] I take him out at least three times a day.

- Okay.

- [Geoff] So, morning, afternoon, and then after work.

- Is there a spot for him to go?

- Yeah, there's- - I just gotta know.

- There's like a long- - You know.

- A long yard.

- There's a yard.

- Or really any grass.

You saw me running him out- - Yes.

- In front here or just- wherever.

- Okay.

- There's a grass patch- we'll take advantage of it.

- Okay.

- Good, good.

So, he's a skilled athlete, I hear.

- He's a (laughs) skilled- - Let's hear about that.

- Well, I mean, he just loves to run.

I mean, I don't know if he's- - What's he do for fun?

Does he catch Frisbees?

- He catches Frisbees, balls, yeah, anything.

He does, so, because he should be in a field herding sheep somewhere- - Correct.

- He does this tracking thing.

- Where, you know, he'll drop a toy at your feet and back away and kind of- crouch down.

- Yeah.

- Silently yell at you until you throw it.

He does that with the ball.

And I think just innately he needs something- to be able to herd.

- To herd.

- Whether it's a ball coming towards him- or Frisbee.

- Sure.

- Or court employees.

- Or court employees.

- Okay.

(Amber laughs) - [Amber] He hears us (laughs).

- So, can you relay any experiences?

I know you probably have a million- of 'em.

- Yeah.

- Where he's really gone above and beyond during a experience in court.

- Yeah, I think just, I mean, the most recent one, I think, is I walked out into the lobby and a woman was coming with her daughter toward us from the courtroom area.

And she saw him and just started crying- and got down and just said.

- Oh!

- "I needed a dog so bad today.

"You have no idea."

- Oh.

- And from there we facilitated a conversation and she requested he come to her next hearing.

And so, he was kind of there - Oh!

- For her in that regard.

And just, you know, you're not in the court because you want to be there.

You're there because you're recounting the worst day of your life normally.

So, to have something unexpected like this, really, you know, I try to, I wish I could quantify it- for grant purposes.

- Right.

- But how do you say.

- Sure.

- Somebody fell to their knees in tears or their shoulders slouched- and they looked relaxed.

- Right.

- I mean, how do you- - So you have.

- How do you.

- The best job in the world.

- Put that in words.

- I think I do.

- You're making.

- You're bringing- joy to people.

- Yeah.

- I try to, yeah.

- Or comfort, yeah.

- At like the worst times of their life.

- Yeah.

- Sometimes.

- I love my job so much, yeah.

- Yeah, and then you get to take this dog home.

- And then I get to take him home.

He's mine, yeah!

- How is he at home?

- He's a goofball.

- Is he off duty?

- Yeah, so when you take the vest off, he kind of knows that he is not working.

And man, he's a goofball- - Really.

- He just makes me laugh, his comedic timing, like you said, he knows how to spell words, so- - Yeah.

- I've had to- - Call something else, like something completely different- - Yeah.

- Just so he wouldn't know.

- And then he'll learn that and then I'll spell it.

(Stephanie laughs) Then he'll learn the spelling and he outsmarts me every day.

- Does he sleep in your bed?

- I've tried.

He won't.

He puts himself to sleep at 10 every night.

He'll go into his hut by himself.

- Oh my gosh!

- Yeah, he's like a very obedient- teenager.

- Very regimented.

- Yeah, just, yeah.

It's wild.

It's, every day is something new and different.

- Yeah.

So, I wanna hear more about your job- and what you do.

- My job, And the kids that come through.

And just tell me more.

- So, I think Geoff really nailed it when he said people are coming through the court at the worst times of their lives.

You know, nobody wakes up and says, "Hey, this is what I wanna do today.

"I wanna (laughs) go deal with Magistrate Crowe!"

(Geoff laughs) Ha, ha, ha.

But what I do is I, the main focus of my docket is delinquency, so, some you kids that are alleged to have committed some sort of crime.

And I have evidentiary hearings, we have trials.

I think what the most important part is, is the disposition.

So, that is what people would think of as sentencing- - Sure.

- In adult court.

- And that gives us the opportunity to really, it follows the staffing, where our staff has collected information from counselors, families, schools, and put together recommendations.

So, that gives us, I think, our best look as to what's going on, a holistic picture with this kiddo and then put orders into place to where I never have to see them again.

I tell them that in a good way.

(Geoff laughs) - Right.

- I wanna see you.

- But I wanna see you when you're coming in for graduation- - Right.

- And you're here.

- To invite us.

- Right.

- You know, and so that's, I would say about 85% of what I do is the delinquency.

- [Stephanie] Okay.

- And- - It's gotta be tough.

- It is tough.

But I gotta tell you, I'm gonna piggyback on when you asked Geoff about his experience- with Tater Tot.

- Oh yes, please!

- And this is why Geoff and Tater Tot are so amazing.

I had a kiddo in a DN case who- - DN?

- Dependency and Neglect.

- Got it.

- Thank you very much.

- Yep, yep.

- So, a CSB case.

- Children's Services case.

And he had left placement where he was in charge of taking care of his Guinea pig.

Do you remember this?

- Mm.

- And he loved animals.

- And I emailed Geoff and I said, "Hey, do you mind just surprising this kid "at his next hearing and coming down?"

So, the kiddo came to the hearing and he was elated to see Tater Tot.

- Ooh!

- He sat there.

- He, you know, parents weren't unfortunately involved.

So, it's really just the guardian ad litem- prosecutor, caseworker.

- Ooh.

- You know, professionals.

And we do, I do my best.

I can't, I think all of us do, but I really do my best to make sure the kid knows they're the most important person in that room.

And I think just Tater Tot added to that in such a way that you can't articulate properly.

You just had to be there- - Yeah.

- And experience it.

- So, my job can be hard, but I absolutely love it.

When you see kids making changes, when you see the positive- impact you have.

- Right.

- Like, this is worth it.

This is why I do it.

- Absolutely.

- And it's fantastic.

- Yeah.

So, Judge Judge Linda Teodosio, how does she incorporate Tater Tot?

Does she embrace this- - Absolutely.

- In her court?

- Okay.

- Absolutely.

- Don't don't you use it in detention too- - Yeah.

- Tater Tot?

- Yeah, yeah.

- You do, tell me about that?

- We go to detention twice a week to see the kids who are being detained.

I think we're one of the only courts that has its own therapy room with two full-time therapists on staff- at all times.

- Okay.

- So, people can, you know, fill out a request to speak to somebody if they're feeling some kind of way, if they're having issues with anything, or even if they just want to go and relax- they have.

- Sure - You know, beanbag chairs and books and coloring and all sorts of stuff.

But they've started to incentivize Tater Tot.

So, if you're good over there, you get a certain number of points every day.

And once you reach a certain number of points, you can request a visit.

So, we'll go over there, sit in the therapy room and just, you know, the kids will throw the ball endlessly for about an hour.

And again, that is distraction enough for them to usually open up to me and talk about stuff.

And it's gotten really good feedback from the kids in the therapist.

- [Stephanie] Oh, I bet.

He's gotta be the most popular staff.

- Yeah.

- Does Tater talk get paid?

- Is he on the payroll?

- (laughs) He doesn't, he doesn't.

- Oh, I think you should negotiate.

- (laughs) Yes, please.

- Can I be his attorney and negotiate- a contract for this guy.

- Please, please.

- We'll talk off-camera.

- Yeah.

(Amber laughs) - Yeah, yeah.

So, I see Tater Tot is wearing this gorgeous tie that- - Yes!

- That kind of dips.

- In his water when he drinks.

How many ties does he have?

- He has about 60 ties- which is about.

- Oh my gosh!

- [Geoff] 60 more than me.

- [Stephanie] See he needs a payroll!

- [Amber] We know that.

- He does.

- He needs a paycheck.

- [Amber] It's expensive.

- [Geoff] Well, he has a fan who custom makes, about 10 of them are custom made by a fan.

- [Stephanie] Really?

- [Geoff] Yeah, so, yeah.

Everything is wild.

Everything's a new experience.

And even Judge Linda Teodosio, I mean, he wouldn't be here if she didn't okay it, you know.

- [Stephanie] Right.

- I approached her about it and she was, I think she was on board, but a little uncertain of how it would work and- - Sure.

- But her main focus was.

- Will it benefit the kids?

- Right.

- And if it does.

- Then, why it's a no-brainer.

- All in.

- Yeah.

- I know her, she's terrific.

- She's progressive and wonderful.

- And I know she would've been here today if she could- - Yes.

- But I know she's has a trial today- I believe.

- Yeah.

- Look at you beautiful boy.

(Geoff laughs) Yes, what a good boy.

So, does Tater Tot wear a tie every day?

- He does.

I try to respect the institutions we go to.

I know it's a little goofy, but it is just kind of one of those unspoken things of, I understand I'm bringing an animal in here, but we are here to- - Most importantly, does he have bow ties too?

- I don't do bow ties.

- Really!

- I like that these drag and get dirty and dip in his water bowl.

(group laughing) - I don't know.

I'm kind of a bow tie girl so, you might need to try that once in a while.

- It's so comical.

- And then it has to be the hand-tied ones, you know?

- Yes, of course.

- You know that right.

- Not pre-tied ones.

- Pre-tied ones, forget it.

- So, yeah, look at you.

You are beautiful.

I wanna take you home.

Does he ever sleep over at the court or- - No.

- For no reason.

There's no reason to do that.

- No, no.

- Just comes home with you.

- Yeah.

And, he's a family pet when he's home.

- Yeah, exactly.

- Yeah, my parents love him.

He loves his grandparents.

He just, you know, they spoil him with love- and attention.

- So, is there any talk of getting another Tater Tot?

- In the court or for me?

- In the court?

In the court?

- I that's above- - That's outta my- - Above your pay grade (indistinct).

- And then, you know, I mean we don't ever like to think about, you know, the end- - The next phase.

- Oh no, we won't talk about that.

I don't know what she's talking- about Tater Tot.

- Right, right.

- But I've had three dogs.

I'm on my third dog, (mic rumbling) you know, because that happens.

- No, it is a reality, I mean- - It's a reality.

I mean, I can't even imagine.

like the whole court would be mourning.

- Yeah.

- They said to retire him at around 10.

- Okay.

I don't think he'll, honestly, his breed, so, I specifically requested a dog that isn't a, what do they normally have, a Golden Retriever?

- Yeah.

- Yes, the Labs.

- Labs.

- Yeah.

- I requested one that was not one.

And he's, his work drive is just crazy.

He's that annoying coworker who whistles on the way in and you're like, I haven't had my coffee, relax and- - Yeah, he's not gonna.

- And he's just not gonna.

- Wanna retire ever.

- Wanna do that.

- No, absolutely not.

- Well that's good.

- He's so happy.

- That's good.

That's good.

- I would just like to add though- - Please.

- Magistrate Crowe.

- Has such a positive rapport with the youth that she works with, that she doesn't even really need Tater.

She's like her own Tater Tot.

(Amber laughs) I've seen kids- - I can see.

- How relatable.

- Yeah, right.

- And kind- - And she cares.

- And she's passionate- and she's just, but fair.

- Yeah.

- And, you know, I've seen kids in detention in the yard just shouting out to her, just giving her the, you know, little heart signs 'cause she worked with them in some- capacity in the past.

That's amazing.

- And to have, you know, somebody who is averse to authority care about you in that way, I think it really speaks volumes to her as well, so.

- And I appreciate that.

And that's why I think we make a good team.

- Yeah.

- I really do.

- It's a very holistic approach.

There's not, as part of Restore, there's not one person that does more than another.

- Sure.

- It is a team.

- With several moving parts and it's phenomenal.

- [Stephanie] How many magistrates are there?

- Ah, I believe we've got 10.

- Okay.

- Sounds right.

- 10.

- [Stephanie] And how many judges?

Just one.

- Just one.

- That's what I thought.

- Linda Teodosio.

- Linda Teodosio - Yeah, she can't ever retire.

- No, no.

- No, we love her.

- Absolutely, so, 10 magistrates, that's quite a big docket.

- Yeah, it's a lot of cases.

- Yeah, it's a lot of kids.

You got a lot of work cut out for you Tater.

- I know.

- And he never.

- Complains about it.

- Really.

- He never complains, no.

- I was just sayin' in our office, even with the 200 volunteers, we get more cases than we can disperse even with (indistinct) 10 full-time GALs- - Sure.

- On staff.

- The cases keep coming in.

So, yeah you- - And some of the guardian ad litems are volunteers and some are are on staff.

Is that how that works?

- Sure.

I think there's a different name.

So, the CASAs are the volunteers.

- Okay.

- I'm a CASA GAL.

- And then there's GAL Attorneys - And CASA's, Court Appointed- Special Advocate.

- Special Advocate.

- Guardian Ad Litem.

- Guardian Ad Litem.

- It's a mouthful.

- [Stephanie] That is a mouthful, CASA GAL.

- CASA GAL, yeah.

- Got it, yeah.

And they all play their own special part in these kids' lives.

- Yeah.

- They're integral.

- They're the boots on the ground.

They're the ones that are telling the court what we're seeing in the homes.

You know what I mean?

- Sure.

- 'Cause everybody else.

- Has their role.

- Children's services, the prosecutor, defense, these are the people that are advocating for the kids.

- Amazing.

Amazing.

Well you guys do fabulous work there.

We're very happy to see Tater Tot and I want to thank you Geoff and Amber and Tater Tot, I wanna thank you- - Thank you!

- For coming here today.

- For an interesting discussion about therapy dogs, especially this therapy dog and his impact on the kids who come through the juvenile court system, and his impact on the staff and the parents.

We are lucky to have such caring people in our system, you two and Judge Teodosio, working to make things easier for children who are struggling with abuse and neglect.

Now if all dogs behaved as good as Tater Tot, I think everybody would have one, right?

Right?

- Yeah.

- Thank you for teaching us about therapy dogs and their crucial role they play in our Summit County Juvenile Court System.

I'm Stephanie York.

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