U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore (center) is pictured with Rasta and Jennifer (Vernon) Schoonover following the presentation of the annual Crystal Kipper & Ali Kemp Memorial Award. Moore presented the award alongside Anna Kipper Rea (with her husband, Mark), the mother of Crystal Kipper, and Jill and Bob Leiker of the Ali Kemp Educational Foundation, an organization founded by the late Roger Kemp, the father of Ali Kemp, whose son Tyler Kemp is also pictured. (Submitted photo)
Rasta is a nearly nine-year-old male golden retriever belonging to Scotty and Jennifer (Vernon) Schoonover. Rasta started his career in the fall of 2016 at 18 months old by getting certified as a therapy dog by the Platte County Pet Power program. He then worked to get his Canine Good Citizen credential.
After being certified as a therapy dog, he began hospice work and working with his mom, Jennifer, Vice President of Clinical Services at Synergy Services, helping traumatized and homeless youth and children. He also acts a huge support for the staff for the hard work they do.
In the fall of 2018 Rasta was invited to work in the Platte County Prosecutor’s Office helping a child during her testimony in court against her alleged abuser. Rasta and Jennifer worked with the staff at the courthouse to practice and train Rasta for trial and in January 2019 he participated in his first courtroom jury trial. He sat in the witness box with the victim as she gave her testimony.
Since then he has participated in other trials, been present to help kids through depositions and trial preparation and is sometimes in the courthouse with a victim to bring strength and comfort before and after their testimony.
A children’s book, “Pawsitively Rasta,” was written about him in December 2022. Today, Rasta continues his work at Synergy and waits for the next call to do whatever is needed around the community.
Rasta recently received the annual Crystal Kipper & Ali Kemp Memorial Award. The award, presented annually during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (April 21-27), honors the memories of Ali Kemp and Crystal Kipper, both of whom were fatal victims of tragic crimes. The award recognizes the outstanding work of an individual or organization in recognition of a valued contribution to preventing and responding to the exploitation of children.
Rasta is the granddog of Ginny and Jack Vernon, Fairfax, and has many other relatives around Atchison County.
