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Starting a Courthouse Dog Program

Hallmarks of a sound courthouse dog program

• Dog is trained by an ADI (Assistance Dogs International) member organization to service dog standards
• The dog’s handler is a professional from within the criminal justice system, such as a victim advocate, forensic interviewer, prosecuting attorney, law enforcement officer, or other criminal justice professional.
• Dog and handler work within applicable legal constraints
• Involved staff members have been trained in handling/use of the dog by professionals knowledgeable in the work that the dog will be doing

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Commitment and Rewards

A courthouse dog should be regarded as a member of your office staff and will be expected to work in the office for several years. A courthouse dog will be able to interact with people in courthouse public areas, child advocacy centers, drug courts, play with office staff, participate in forensic interviews, calm victims and witnesses and accompany witnesses to the stand in a courtroom.

Handler

A courthouse dog will require a primary caretaker/handler who is employed by your office. The dog will live with this person and this person will be primarily responsible for the dog’s care. The dog will consider this person to be his or her owner. This person is usually a victim advocate or a forensic interviewer because the dog will be assisting this person most of the time. In addition to the primary caregiver there should be one or two other people who are trained to work with and care for the dog when the primary caregiver is unavailable.

Public relations

A courthouse dog will be an office ambassador and whenever possible you should make the time to allow members of the public, and all courthouse participants spend some time with this dog. These dog handlers should be very outgoing and patient because a courthouse dog attracts a great deal of attention. People will want to interact with the dog and chat about their own dogs. Although this can be time consuming, it is time well spent because this type of interaction relieves stress and makes people feel happy. This is the dog’s purpose in working in a courthouse setting.

Planning

The primary caregiver should draft a plan that describes the dog’s duties and care. This plan should first be submitted to the prosecutor or agency director for approval. If the prosecutor or director is receptive to this idea, the plan and the benefits of a Facility Dog should be shared with office staff. It is important to have as many people as possible invested in the success of the facility dog. Accommodations should be made for people with allergies or a dislike or fear of dogs.

Read about overcoming resistance to the program for ideas on persuading your colleagues of the value of using a courthouse dog.