Courthouse Facility Dogs: Steadfast Friends in Times of Need VOCA National Training Conference Savannah, GA August 8, 2018

Transcription

1 Courthouse Facility Dogs: Steadfast Friends in Times of Need 2018 VOCA National Training Conference Savannah, GA August 8, 2018

2 Seattle

3 King County Courthouse

4 Salvador Aleman Cruz serial child rapist

5 Rape victim's threat to jump off courthouse roof may derail case November 4, 2010 By Jennifer Sullivan Seattle Times staff reporter A 21-year-old child-rape victim who was set to confront her alleged attacker in a Seattle courtroom Thursday afternoon, made her way onto the roof of the King County Courthouse and spent about three hours threatening to jump before she was led to safety.

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7 Inmate was at hospital hours before jumping from Seattle courthouse window November 30, 2010 By Mike Carter and Jennifer Sullivan Seattle Times staff reporters A 29-year-old Auburn man who jumped to his death from the 11th floor of the King County Courthouse Tuesday morning had been at Harborview Medical Center the night before because of deepening depression, according to his family.

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9 We feel safe when we are with a relaxed dog.

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11 Petting a dog reduces our stress level.

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13 What is a Courthouse Dog Program?

14 Courthouse Dog Program Dog is a graduate from an accredited assistance dog school. Handler is a professional in the legal system. Dog is utilized in a way that does not disrupt legal processes.

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16 Facility dog

17 Not a service dog

18 Not a therapy dog

19 Genetics

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22 Preparation Begins at Birth

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26 Puppy Socialization and Training

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34 Professional Training and Evaluation of Young Adult Dog

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39 Handler Training and Certification

40 Dennis Dunn Director Victim Services Honolulu, HI Keith Kaneshiro Prosecutor Pono Bred and trained by Assistance Dogs of Hawaii

41 Courthouse Facility Dogs at Child Advocacy Centers

42 Establishing rapport

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45 Facility dogs in forensic interviews

46 The results of this study support the stress reducing effects of a service-trained facility dog for children undergoing forensic interviews for allegations of child sexual abuse.

47 Dogs usually appeal to children of all ages

48 Jeeter knows what to do.

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51 Medical exam room

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53 Therapy

54 Play Therapy

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58 Facility dogs assisting in the prosecution of crimes

59 The Need for Trauma Sensitive Courts The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) research links childhood abuse and neglect with adult onset of chronic disease, mental illness, violence and being a victim of violence. CDC and DOJ

60 Seven-year-old testifying against his mother

61 Child Witness in the Courtroom Policy Statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics February 2017

62 studies have clearly established that children experience anxiety surrounding court appearances and that the main fear is facing the defendant. Other fears include being hurt by the defendant, embarrassment about crying or not being able to answer questions, and going to jail. The more frightened a child is, the less he or she is able to answer questions.

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65 Domestic Violence Chad s Story

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68 Types of witness support

69 Child and facility dog in witness box

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72 Alleged Con Artist Alesha Lair Charged With Stealing From a Disabled Man By Vernal Coleman Fri., Apr at 12:00AM Alesha Lair seems like she might be the impatient type. Because anyone who allegedly cons a developmentally disabled man out of his life savings is angling for a spot on the express lane to hell. (Seattle Weekly)

73 Douglas Lare with Ellie

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75 Appellate Court Decisions Washington California 2 New York Connecticut Ohio 2 Michigan - 2 Tennessee Texas Arizona

76 Eight states have laws limiting this practice to facility dogs. Arizona Arkansas Hawaii Idaho Illinois Louisiana Mississippi Virginia

77 Courthouse Dogs Foundation

78 Training for legal professionals Workshops and technical assistance

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80 Provide materials and technical assistance

81 Free download from

82 Annual Conference

83 Facility dog teams in Las Vegas

84 Courthouse Facility Dogs in a Prosecutor s Office Chelsey Moore Assistant Solicitor 10 th Circuit Solicitor s Office Anderson, South Carolina

85 Why get a Facility Dog? Roma s going to be giving people strength and courage to help testify. She ll give victims the comfort and security they need to face their abusers. Chrissy T. Adams First dog becomes regular fixture in South Carolina Courts (

86 Roma Around Town

87 Roma at the CAC

88 Roma in the Courthouse

89 Roma in Trial

90 Friends for Life!

91 Tamara Martin Forensic Interviewer Child Protect CAC Montgomery, AL

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94 What A Difference

95 Trisha Mellberg, JD Sex Offender Resource Prosecutor Alabama Office of Prosecution Services

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98 Courthouse Dogs Foundation