Courthouse Dogs Are Bringing Compassion To Victims Testifying In Court
For many victims, testifying in court can feel almost as overwhelming as the crime itself. The pressure of facing an accused person, answering tough questions, and reliving painful memories can make the courtroom feel impossible to handle.
That is where Courthouse Dogs comes in. Founded by Ellen O’Neill Stephens and Celeste Walsen in 2004, the nonprofit trains dogs to comfort people while they testify, and it now works in 28 states with 87 dogs, mostly Labradors and Golden Retrievers.
These dogs are doing more than sitting quietly by a witness stand, they are helping people get through one of the hardest moments of their lives.
1. Friendship comes in many forms.
“We are a two person/one dog non-profit organization.” -Co-founder Ellen O’Neil
2. Making the stress bearable.
Gentle pats, hugs, and comforting glances. That's what these dogs are here for.
3. "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.”
4. Timing.
The program is not without its bumps in the road: “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.”
5. Compassion
Despite the uphill battle, the founders remain vigilant: “These dogs should be available to any vulnerable witness that would have difficulty talking about what happened.”
And if you need a lighter courthouse-adjacent vibe, a K9 puppy fell asleep during the inauguration ceremony
6. Waiting
“It also takes some time on the waiting list of an assistance dog organization to acquire the dog.”
7. The problem with waiting...
“That could be an adult rape victim or family member who’s child has been murdered and have to testify in court.”
8. “However, these dogs are well worth the wait.”
“This adversarial system [of testifying in front of your attacker] is brutal.”
9. Why it Works
“We count on dogs to tell us when there’s a bad guy around. [W]hen we’re in the presence of a relaxed dog, it makes us feel that we’re in a safe place. “[This] can lower our blood pressure and reduce anxiety."
10. Compassion in the justice system.
“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.”
“I used to think… I was supposed to make the witnesses squirm. But now I’m telling judges, that technique doesn’t work.”
Everyone needs a new haircut now and again, even our furry friends. Have a look at these before and after photos of doggos getting a make-over.
Want the sweetest “meet the family” moment? See the couple who finally met their rescue dog at the adoption event.
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