Tater Tot

Tater Tot was raised and trained by an inmate inside Ellsworth Correctional Facility in Kansas, where he spent the first year and half of his life learning over 50 commands and skills. The focus of his training was to work alongside Geoff in a social work setting. 

In his role at the courthouse, Tater Tot wears many hats.  He is available for both staff and visitors, including to any of the over 200 CASA volunteers who may need a calming presence, to the youth inside Detention who earn visits with him through good behavior, as part of a multi-disciplinary team for the youth in Restore Court, and as an encouraging presence to the families in the FRRC. 

When not at work, Tater Tot’s main passion is honing his skills as an athlete. He is adept at fetch and frisbee, and can keep up with an e-scooter like he’s riding in an invisible side-car. 

Tater Tot is thought to be one of the only therapy dogs working in Ohio juvenile courts and with a Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program, which advocates for abused and neglected children.