Promoting justice through the use of well-trained dogs to provide emotional support for everyone in our criminal justice system

A courthouse setting can be an intimidating place for most people who enter the building to participate in criminal or family court matters. However the presence of a well-trained dog that provides emotional support by offering a soft head to stroke or the happy sight of a wagging tail can make the experience a less stressful one.

Since 2003 courthouse dogs have provided comfort to children who have been sexually abused while they undergo forensic interviews and testify in court. The dogs also assist drug court participants in their recovery, visit juveniles in detention facilities, greet jurors and in general lift the spirits of courthouse staff who often conduct their business in an adversarial setting.

In the King County Bar Bulletin, Superior Court Judge Wesley Saint Clair, who has had the experience of a facility dog assisting two witnesses during a trial and providing companionship to everyone in the drug court setting, stated that he “finds that the dog's presence dissipates tension for everyone when dealing with difficult issues and provides a sense of normalcy.”

This website provides information regarding the use of dogs in this role and guidance about the types of dogs appropriate for such work, as well as legal support for the use of dogs in the courtroom. At a minimum, dogs working in a courthouse setting should be certified by Delta Society or Therapy Dogs International and carry a one million dollar liability insurance policy. The Philosophy and Best Practices of Courthouse Dogs are discussed in more detail here.

The use of courthouse dogs can help bring about a major change in how we meet the emotional needs of all involved in the criminal justice system. The dog’s calming presence creates a more humane and efficient system that enables judges, lawyers, and staff to accomplish their work in a more positive and constructive manner.