b'Sarashusbandtoldherhadabetter provokefeelingsofterror.Imagine adjacent to the house, so the survivorsidea, and picked up her four-month- hearingthemenacingwords,just are never far from their pets. On-siteoldpuppy,Rusty, andthrewhim think what I will do to you after the amenities include a dog washing tubdownthestairs.Afterbouncingoff pet has been harmed or killed, often in and beautiful dog park. A professionaland hitting almost all of the wooden front of children. groomervisitsonceamonthandsteps, Rusty hit the bottom and was Researchershavefoundthat donatesherservices.Dr.Elizabethbleeding. Sara rushed him to the vet between71%and83%ofwomen Chosa, of Courtenay Animal Hospitaland, after many tests, he was found to enteringdomesticviolenceshelters in Merritt Island, provides veterinarybe not seriously injured.reportedthattheirpartnersalso care,alsoatnocharge.HavingtheThesoundofhimhittingthe abused or killed the family pet.** kennelon-siteprovidesanotherverystepsandyelpingisasoundIwill important service: the chance for theneverforget,recallsSara.Atthat survivors, both people and their pets,point, I knew I had to get out, but I to heal together. had nowhere to go, and was forced to Thesmall but mighty staff of 16staythereforanothersixmonths. worksaroundtheclock,365daysaWhenIfinallyfoundaplacetogo year. Each member is integral to mak-whereIcouldbringmydogs,I ingsureeveryonesneedsaremet,divorced him within three months. including the pets. One staff member,UnfortunatelySarasstoryisnot in particular,is somewhat of a celebri-an uncommon one. Imagine if leaving ty at the center. Lilly is a five-year-oldan abusive relationship was dependent miniatureSchnauzerandisSereneon whether you could find a safe place Harborscomfortdogafterhavingfor your pet? Although there is still a completed extensive training. She hasgreatneedformorepet-friendly Thanks to the on-site kennel at Serene been on the job for almost a year anddomesticabusecenters,aspets Harbor, Rusty and his human Sara found isseriousaboutherjob,offeringbecome more recognized as members safety from an abusive situation. unconditionalsupporttothesur-of the family, that number is thankful- As a result, more domestic violence vivors. She will attend counseling ses-ly growing.shelters are providing on-site accom- sionstohelpeasetheapprehension.Domestic abuse is on the rise in modationsforpetsofsurvivorswho Lillyhasalsobecomeanexpertatthe United States with more than 10 arriveseekinghelpandprotection. knowing when someone needs to bemillionadultsexperiencingitevery SereneHarborCertifiedDomestic comforted, particularly with the chil-year.*Onanygivenday,thereare Violence Center is one such shelter. dren at the center. Once, as a child wasmore than 20,000 phone calls placed LocatedinBrevardCounty.Located cryinguncontrollablyfromabeeto domestic violence hotlines nation- inBrevardCounty,SereneHarbor sting, Lilly walked up to her, and putwide.provides a safe haven for all survivors her head on the childs lap. The childSomeresearchindicatesthe ofdomesticabuse,includingtheir stopped crying and was soon smiling;increase is due to the 2020-2021 pan- pets. It is one of 41 certified centers in bee sting quickly forgotten.demic and the effect it has had both Florida, and has been operating for 29 Lillygainedemploymentattheeconomicallyandemotionally.The years. centerafterBrevardCountySheriffnumberofdomesticviolenceinci- Theon-sitekennelatSerene Wayne Ivey visitedthe center. The chil-dents in the United States increased by Harbor was funded by The Shirley E. dren who saw the Sheriff displayed signs8.1% after lock down orders, accord- Noland Foundation in 2013, and took of fear of law enforcement after havingingtoananalysisreleasedbythe approximatelyfourmonthstocom- experiencedlifeinanabusivehome.national commissioner on COVID-19 plete. Building materials, supplies and Fortunately,SheriffIveywaswithhisand criminal justice (NCCCJ).pet food were donated by the commu- sidekick, a dog named Junny, who isDomestic abuse does not discrim- nity. Since opening in 2014, pet resi- anotherfamiliarfacearoundBrevardinate. It can affect anyone from any dentshaveincludeddogs,cats,fish, County.Thechildrenlovedplayingsocio-economic, cultural and religious chickens,turtles,hamsters,bunnies, with Junny. background.Iftherearepetsinthe and a prairie dog. abusivehousehold,theyarealmost Manyofthepetsarrivetrauma- Resource: *NCADVNational CoalitionAgainst Domestic Violencealwaysthefirsttarget,atacticused tized, and the kennel provides a safe **HSUSHumane Society of theagainst the victim to gain control and placetodecompressandreset.Itis United States22 THE NEW BARKER www.TheNewBarker.com'