Murphy is a beautiful lab with a dark brown and black coat who is quite happy to let children hang on his neck, rub his ears and, sometimes, cry into his fur.

He is the full-time therapy dog at the Terrie Hess Child Advocacy Center, which serves victims of child abuse in Rowan County. His warm greeting and comforting presence can reduce the fear or anxiety that a child may experience, and remind them that they are not alone.

But it isn’t just the children Murphy helps. He also supports the CAC staff, social workers, law enforcement officers and other professionals who serve these children on their healing journeys. The trauma associated with child abuse extends beyond the victims themselves, and Murphy lends his comforting presence to everyone in need.

Murphy’s handler is Erin Moody, who is the prevention and education program manager at the center as well as a forensic interviewer and a certified therapy dog handler, and a member of Spencer’s Board of Aldermen. Many meetings will find Murphy at Moody’s feet under the desk or stretched out behind her on the floor.

Moody explained that Murphy was adopted from the Rowan County Animal Shelter in July of 2019. The former shelter dog suffered from neglect, including heartworm disease, but overcame his history “and he’s become a well-recognized beacon of hope in our community,” said Moody.

In his free time, Moody said Murphy volunteers with Canine Caregivers Therapy Dogs, NC, where he provides support to both first responders and local youth. Murphy is sponsored by Doggie Holiday Boarding & Training, Rowan Animal Clinic and Uptown Dogs & Cats.

Murphy has been nominated for the First Responder Paws Therapy Dog Award. This is an annual contest hosted by the national behavioral health provider, FHE Health. Voting will open to the public on Nov. 25 and continue through Dec. 4.

The winning dog and handler will receive the following:
• A $2,000 check in support of their work from FHE Health;
• A gift basket from the online pet retailer Chewy;
• A feature blog that reaches more than 100,000 people on social media and a press release announcing their news;
• A $2,500 donation made in their honor to FHE Health’s partner organization, First Responders Pack Foundation, which exists to train more therapy dogs for first responders.

To vote for Murphy, go to: https://fherehab.com/first-responder-paws-award. The only requirement is a valid email address, which will not be used for any other purpose.

“We knew that Murphy would improve the experience of child abuse victims being served at our facility,” said Moody “We did not anticipate the powerful positive impact that he would have on our staff and first responders who investigate these child abuse cases. This work can be traumatic and Murphy helps our community partners process the difficult emotions that are associated with child abuse.”

The center’s therapy dog program was developed and is maintained with the help of Nina Dix, certified dog trainer and behaviorist. Murphy is a Canine Good Citizen through the American Kennel Club and a certified therapy dog with Canine Caregivers Therapy Dogs, NC.

Murphy and Moody have made presentations on the use of therapy animals in supporting first responders in an attempt to bring more therapy dogs into the field. He has attended first responder suicide prevention training to support professionals in processing a difficult day of learning. An example of Murphy’s work was providing grief support at the WBTV Charlotte newsroom following a fatal helicopter crash, killing two of the staff on their team. He is a special visitor at the annual Safety Summer Camp, put on by the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office. He is available to first responders in the event of a child fatality. He visits local law enforcement departments, as well as departments of health and social services, throughout the year to bring joy and comfort during difficult work.

Wherever Murphy goes, first responders reach out to give him pets, scratches behind the ears and smiles. Children find it irresistible to reach for his soft ears or to rub his head, as he looks up at them with soft, gentle brown eyes. Though he is a working dog and therefore not always allowed to play with other dogs, it is always clear he is ready to make canine friends.

“He’s an only child,” said Moody at a recent event, “and he wants so much to have a dog friend to play with.”

The recognition Murphy has received are numerous and varied. A plaque dedicated to Murphy hangs in the lobby of the local animal shelter that he once called home and Big Dog Kennel #26 is sponsored in his honor. Novant Health named him the Community Hero of the Month in December 2022 and he was invited to attend the Charlotte Checkers hockey game as their guest of honor, dropping the game puck. He was featured in Salisbury the Magazine. The office walls are hung with countless art pieces from children who now call Murphy a friend.