Joey helps young people open up in difficult social work talks

A six-year-old golden retriever is helping young people feel more at ease during difficult conversations with a social worker in Aalborg, DR reports.

Joey accompanies social worker Emma Konnerup at Family Group MidWest, a unit within Aalborg Municipality’s social services. The conversations often concern contact arrangements and how much time a child should spend with each parent.

Konnerup says young people can feel unsure or worry about how their feelings will be received. Joey’s calm breathing can help put them at ease, she says.

Joey has been part of the unit for two years. He first joined walks with children and young people, and began sitting in on some conversations six months ago.

Some young people now ask for Joey to be there when they meet Konnerup. She hopes the experience could eventually be shared with other departments and municipalities.