
Meet Latte: Adams County Court dog lends support to children, CASA volunteers and community
Trained and certified emotional support dog fulfills multiple roles at courthouse, spreads the word about CASA program across Southern Ohio
Court staff and community members describe one member of the Adams County Courthouse team as a friend, a mascot, a comfort, and even a special advocate.
“We call her Latte the court dog,” said Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Assistant Director Kelsey Redmon, who oversees the program in Adams County. “She became trained for emotional and behavioral support in August 2023.”
Redmon says ever since Latte, a labrador who lives with Redmon and her family, finished training, she has been at the Adams County Courthouse nearly every day.
“She loves children,” said Redmon. “One of the things that she was really trained to do is lean on people whenever she feels like somebody is in kind of a stressful situation.”
Latte can be found roaming the hallways of the courthouse, checking in on visitors, and assisting with the CASA program.
“The CASA Program is new in Adams County,” said Redmon. “Once you describe that you’re the CASA worker and then you have Latte with you, it really opens things up where the kids will be able to talk. They’ll be able to express themselves and you can see the kids smile.”
Adams County has operated a CASA program since 2022. CASA volunteers advocate in court for children experiencing abuse or neglect.


“Adams County is a small community of about 28,000,” said Adams County Juvenile Court Judge Brett M. Spencer. “About seven or eight years ago, I was at a judicial conference, and they were really saying we ought to think about having therapy dogs. So, it’s been on my agenda for a long time.”
Judge Spencer said once Redmon joined the court team, they soon heard about Latte and her demeanor.
“We got to meet Latte, and we sent Latte to training, and now she’s a fixture in this courthouse,” said Judge Spencer. “She brings a lot of comfort to a lot of people, not only our staff, but the intended participants in court.”
Latte is often at work in the community, roaming the hallways of the courthouse, and even entering the courtroom.
“We were in family intervention court one time. There was a participant that was getting anxious,” said Judge Spencer. “Latte comes over, goes under the table, and changes the entire environment.”
Court staff members believe Latte is especially valuable in her work with children.
“Unfortunately, we have to deal with children that have been subject to allegations of sexual abuse. They have great comfort knowing Latte is available,” said Judge Spencer.
She is particularly beloved by children. Latte assists with children in cases where a CASA volunteer has been assigned. She also lends support to volunteers, while serving as a sort of mascot for the program—helping spread the word about CASA work in the community.


“The beauty I see of CASA is the independence,” said Judge Spencer. “The CASA volunteers are, just from their heart, volunteering their time for the benefit of children. CASA has been a great joy to us, and through Kelsey, we get to have Latte.”
Redmon is grateful for the community’s support of both the CASA program and Latte.
“I think that Latte has an impact on the courthouse and CASA and pretty much everybody,” said Redmon.
If you are interested in serving as a CASA volunteer or in learning more about the program, visit the Adams County Courthouse website or contact the CASA program that serves Southern Ohio.