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It’s Scary To Testify In Front Of Your Attacker In Court, But These Dogs Make It Easier
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It’s Scary To Testify In Front Of Your Attacker In Court, But These Dogs Make It Easier

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Public speaking is stressful, and testifying in court can be particularly so. In countries where defendants have the right to confront their accusers, witnesses, especially young ones, often struggle under the pressure. Ellen O’Neill Stephens and Celeste Walsen, of Courthouse Dogs, believe they have the solution: dogs in the courtroom to comfort witnesses.

“When a person is reliving a traumatic event, they experience physiological reactions similar to what they had when the event was taking place,” O’Neill told Upworthy. “This adversarial system [of testifying in front of your attacker] is brutal. A lot of people come out damaged by it.”

Courthouse dogs are trained specifically for the job, a process that can take over two years. Courthouse Dogs was founded in 2004, and presently employs 87 dogs working in 28 states. The non-profit primarily uses Labradors or golden retrievers.

More info: courthousedogs.com | Courthouse_Dogs (h/t: upworthy, wcyb)

Testifying in court can be a traumatic event

“We are a two person/one dog non-profit organization,” Ellen O’Neil told Bored Panda

Courthouse Dogs strives to make this ordeal bearable

“Right now we are training at the San Bernardino District Attorney’s Office”

“When a person is reliving a traumatic event, they experience physiological reactions similar to what they had when the event was taking place”

“It can take up to two years to implement a courthouse facility dog program because there are so many political stakeholders involved in agreeing to open up their doors to the dogs”

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“These dogs should be available to any vulnerable witness that would have difficulty talking about what happened”

“It also takes some time on the waiting list of an assistance dog organization to acquire the dog”

“That could be an adult rape victim or family member who’s child has been murdered and have to testify in court”

“However, these dogs are well worth the wait”

“This adversarial system [of testifying in front of your attacker] is brutal”

“Ellie, the first dog to do this type of work was placed at the King County Prosecutor’s Office in 2004 and she is still working there”

“We count on dogs to tell us when there’s a bad guy around”

“Over the course of her career she has helped thousands of people”

“[W]hen we’re in the presence of a relaxed dog, it makes us feel that we’re in a safe place”

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“I love being a deputy prosecutor but my efforts to make the legal system more humane by advocating for these dogs to help people through this process is much more gratifying”

“[This] can lower our blood pressure and reduce anxiety”

“Justice with compassion!”

“I used to think… I was supposed to make the witnesses squirm”

“But now I’m telling judges, that technique doesn’t work”

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AngelicaAA avatar
AngelicaAA
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was a juror last year for a criminal case. One victim was molested by her stepfather for over ten years, it was very traumatic for her. She testified along with one of these dogs, it was my first to know that they were allowed in court. The dog certainly did change the mood, not just for the victim, but for me too!

shannontan avatar
ShannonTan
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this is a good idea both for parents,kids,elderly,and teens

tova_napell_7 avatar
TovaNapell
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Who ever thought of the court house dogs the should get an award for all there hard work and training the dogs took along time to get

dianahockley avatar
DianaHockley
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think this is a marvellous idea and should be carried out in all courtrooms.

TexyDeb avatar
DebraBrooksKapellakis
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Brilliant, keep it up and God willing let it spread to other court rooms.

annagsalerno avatar
AnnaSalerno
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dogs are just awesome creatures and can sense stress and trauma in humans. I wish more humans were like dogs! This is a great idea for all kinds of people who can't do this in court without help! Hope it catches on in other cities!

iggy1995 avatar
JudyDowney
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a GREAT idea, dogs like these should be available to all courts.

glynisrossmunro avatar
GlynisRoss-Munro
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What gorgeous dogs, offering what all (unabused) dogs offer - comfort, 'canine therapy', their unconditional acceptance and intuitive ability to calm. We see them at our local cancer facility too, and in at-risk teen facilities Everyone needs a therapy dog! (Thank you, SunSin :)

feramoan avatar
FeraMoan
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a wonderful story! I had no idea but yeah, great idea and kudos to whomever thought to implement it.

f.arenga avatar
afoben
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow amazing! Innovation at its best. And such beautiful dogs!

oliviajl5 avatar
ÖliviaSchaber
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Brought a tear to my eye. Often people say "they're just dogs" but they're so much more than that. And every day they prove it. SO COOL!!!

acdewart avatar
AnnaDewart
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Charming little story; however, so poorly written, I am embarrassed for the person who posted it. Please do make every effort to at least get subject verb agreement correct: it is "courthouse dogs strive" or courthouse dog strives" NOT a"courthouse dogs strives"! Also, "who's" is the contraction for who is or who has; it cannot be used to indicate possession: it should be "family member whose child" NOT "family member who's [who is/who has] child." Learning and using the basic tools for good communication is not "rocket science," folks; such errors destroy your content!

stanleyscout avatar
stanleyscout
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Really!?! Not the time or place for your derogatory comment. I am a high school English teacher and didn't even think about the grammar since the tone of this story came from a place of love and compassion. YOU should be embarrased.

Load More Replies...
Sully_Cakes avatar
SullyCakes
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have a service Lobster that helps me find insane amounts of butter and lemon.

navysaylorgirl avatar
ÉirinnColleen
Community Member
8 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I'm somewhat bothered by the inclusion of the photo of the person in the wheelchair. That dog is far more likely to be a SERVICE DOG, not a therapy dog, and confusing the two is problematic. Only SD teams have federally protected access rights.

navysaylorgirl avatar
ÉirinnColleen
Community Member
8 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I'm slightly bothered by the inclusion of the photo of the person in the wheelchair. That dog is much more likely a SERVICE DOG than a therapy dog, and confusing the two is problematic.

AngelicaAA avatar
AngelicaAA
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was a juror last year for a criminal case. One victim was molested by her stepfather for over ten years, it was very traumatic for her. She testified along with one of these dogs, it was my first to know that they were allowed in court. The dog certainly did change the mood, not just for the victim, but for me too!

shannontan avatar
ShannonTan
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this is a good idea both for parents,kids,elderly,and teens

tova_napell_7 avatar
TovaNapell
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Who ever thought of the court house dogs the should get an award for all there hard work and training the dogs took along time to get

dianahockley avatar
DianaHockley
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think this is a marvellous idea and should be carried out in all courtrooms.

TexyDeb avatar
DebraBrooksKapellakis
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Brilliant, keep it up and God willing let it spread to other court rooms.

annagsalerno avatar
AnnaSalerno
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dogs are just awesome creatures and can sense stress and trauma in humans. I wish more humans were like dogs! This is a great idea for all kinds of people who can't do this in court without help! Hope it catches on in other cities!

iggy1995 avatar
JudyDowney
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a GREAT idea, dogs like these should be available to all courts.

glynisrossmunro avatar
GlynisRoss-Munro
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What gorgeous dogs, offering what all (unabused) dogs offer - comfort, 'canine therapy', their unconditional acceptance and intuitive ability to calm. We see them at our local cancer facility too, and in at-risk teen facilities Everyone needs a therapy dog! (Thank you, SunSin :)

feramoan avatar
FeraMoan
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a wonderful story! I had no idea but yeah, great idea and kudos to whomever thought to implement it.

f.arenga avatar
afoben
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow amazing! Innovation at its best. And such beautiful dogs!

oliviajl5 avatar
ÖliviaSchaber
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Brought a tear to my eye. Often people say "they're just dogs" but they're so much more than that. And every day they prove it. SO COOL!!!

acdewart avatar
AnnaDewart
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Charming little story; however, so poorly written, I am embarrassed for the person who posted it. Please do make every effort to at least get subject verb agreement correct: it is "courthouse dogs strive" or courthouse dog strives" NOT a"courthouse dogs strives"! Also, "who's" is the contraction for who is or who has; it cannot be used to indicate possession: it should be "family member whose child" NOT "family member who's [who is/who has] child." Learning and using the basic tools for good communication is not "rocket science," folks; such errors destroy your content!

stanleyscout avatar
stanleyscout
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Really!?! Not the time or place for your derogatory comment. I am a high school English teacher and didn't even think about the grammar since the tone of this story came from a place of love and compassion. YOU should be embarrased.

Load More Replies...
Sully_Cakes avatar
SullyCakes
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have a service Lobster that helps me find insane amounts of butter and lemon.

navysaylorgirl avatar
ÉirinnColleen
Community Member
8 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I'm somewhat bothered by the inclusion of the photo of the person in the wheelchair. That dog is far more likely to be a SERVICE DOG, not a therapy dog, and confusing the two is problematic. Only SD teams have federally protected access rights.

navysaylorgirl avatar
ÉirinnColleen
Community Member
8 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I'm slightly bothered by the inclusion of the photo of the person in the wheelchair. That dog is much more likely a SERVICE DOG than a therapy dog, and confusing the two is problematic.

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