ORLANDO, Fla. – When a survivor flees a domestic violence situation, sometimes words aren’t enough to provide comfort. That’s where the K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry steps in, offering quiet support, a calming presence, and unconditional love when it’s needed most.
News 6 anchor Lisa Bell recently met Moriah, a 7-year-old golden retriever with a big job: helping survivors at Harbor House begin to feel safe again.
Moriah recently stopped by the News 6 newsroom, instantly lifting spirits with gentle tail wags and warm, reassuring attention. But her mission goes far beyond a friendly hello. She regularly brings comfort directly to people navigating trauma.
Moriah’s handler, Greg Register, says her work is the result of extensive preparation.
“She started training at eight weeks old,” said Register. “They go for 2,000-plus hours with different handlers.”
Moriah is one of about 130 comfort working dogs nationwide, provided through.
What makes Moriah different from many working dogs is right on her harness. Instead of “Do not pet,” it reads: “Please pet me.”
“She’s trained literally for anybody, anywhere, anytime,” said Register. “We’ve had 20 kids basically crawling on her, and she just doesn’t move. So they’re trained to be puddles of love, and they are there just to be present. To give you a moment of peace.”
At least once a month, Moriah and another Comfort Working Dog named Peace visit Harbor House. Their presence can help ease anxiety, calm fears, and remind survivors that they are not alone.
Register says it’s common to see kids arrive fearful and withdrawn, then transform during the visit.
“We’re not here to fix anything, we’re not here to solve your issues, we’re just here to have a bridge, a moment of peace, a moment of comfort,” said Register. “(Harbor House) is just such a unique place because you never know which families are going to be there, you never know the age groups you’re going to see, and it’s always just a time of reflection... Many times there’ll be kids in the corner that are very, very scared of the dogs, and you can see they’re going through some trauma. And then, by the time we’re there for an hour, 99% of them have already transposed, they’re playing with the dog. You can just see a change in their attitude, a change their system. And it’s just an amazing revelation to see why you’re there.”