Being in a courthouse can be an intimidating experience for people of any age, but for a child, it can be downright scary.

The Delaware County Court of Common Pleas in Media has added a new “employee,” Frangelica, whose gentle, tail-wagging presence is intended to calm children and their families, and ease their fears while waiting for court proceedings.

Delaware County Council joined members of the Court of Common Pleas in launching its new Courthouse Companions program in partnership with PAWS for People.

Frangelica, a trained therapy dog, and her handler, local attorney Kathryn Meloni, will head up the canine court program aimed at reducing the stress for people, especially children, involved in a court appearance.

Starting on Sept. 20 and 21, Meloni and Frangelica and eight other pet therapy teams will rotate schedules in the Courthouse waiting areas for Juvenile Delinquency Court and Juvenile Dependency Court.

PAWS for People is based in Newark, Del., and is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide elders, children, and people with disabilities individualized, therapeutic visits with a gentle, affectionate pet.

Courthouses across the country are starting to utilize “facility dogs” or “victim assistance canines” in courtroom settings, in waiting areas, and in the courtroom itself where young witnesses find great comfort in having a therapy dog by their side. In Delaware County, the canines will not be in the actual courtroom.

“Being involved in court proceedings can be very intimidating for anyone, but especially for children,” said Common Pleas Judge Nathaniel Nichols. “I hope that these canine therapy teams will help children, their families, and others involved in cases be calm and overcome their fears.”