Izzy, a goldendoodle that was rescued from a hoarding situation, then spent more than six years providing comfort and stress relief to youths and their families, juries and staff at the Macomb County Circuit Court and Juvenile Court, has died.
Izzy, believed to be about 13 years old, died March 13, said Linda Harrison, deputy court administrator and longtime chief juvenile referee until March 2025. Izzy took on the role of the court’s therapy dog in October 2019.
Izzy worked March 9, Harrison said, but unexpectedly became ill from a previously-unknown autoimmune disorder and died four days later. Izzy worked side-by-side with her handler, Amy Mitchell, a probation supervisor, working wherever she was needed in the juvenile, probate and circuit courts in Mount Clemens.
“Izzy’s role at juvenile court was beautiful,” Harrison said, adding that Izzy helped youths through scary situations and a legal system that can be intimidating, as well as staff during trainings. “She took it all for us. She’s truly going to be missed.”
The Free Press featured Izzy in a story in January 2020 when she appeared in the Juvenile Court a month earlier, providing comfort to a teen, who petted Izzy or glanced at her as the teen learned that she was going to be released from the county’s juvenile justice center and placed on intensive probation.
Izzy was rescued from a hoarding situation, where she spent most of her time in a crate, and was recommended by the county’s chief animal control officer because of her temperament. She was to reduce stress for some children and build rapport with others, particularly those who have experienced trauma in their lives.
Juveniles — and staff — regularly stopped by the office to visit Izzy, especially if they were having a rough day. Harrison said she couldn’t say how many times she went to see Izzy, took a seat and talked to her.
“It was great,” Harrison said, adding: “It just helped. … She was so sweet and so well-behaved.”
Harrison said there is no current plan for a new therapy dog.
Izzy was “truly a blessing for all of us,” she said, adding that when Izzy walked in the building “she really was the belle of the ball.”
Contact Christina Hall: chall@freepress.com. Follow her on X: @challreporter.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Izzy, therapy dog at Macomb County circuit, juvenile courts, dies
Reporting by Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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