Facility Dogs Helping Vulnerable Witnesses Find Their Voice and Heal

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Clyde Lenard Dennis
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1 Facility Dogs Helping Vulnerable Witnesses Find Their Voice and Heal

2 Team Jordon

3 Team Tibet

4 Trauma Any experience that leaves a person feeling hopeless, helpless, fearing for their life, survival, or safety. This experience can be real or perceived. Traumatic memory Overwhelmed system, results in fragmented and language-less. Implicit storage of images, sounds, smells, physical sensations. We are asking (often very young) victims of trauma to participate in highly verbal processes. Trauma is not encoded in those regions of the brain, but in the lower limbic system and brainstem.

5 Two Keys to Trauma-Informed Care Restore a sense of safety Introduce choice and control

6 Foster trust/create sense of safety After 5 minutes of contact with an unfamiliar dog, 76 % of children studied between the ages of 7 and 15 believed that a dog knew how they felt. Another 84 % indicated that they would confide secrets to a dog (Melson & Fogel, 1996)

Dogs are a sensory intervention Friendly kind face (vagal) Eye gaze / (oxytocin) Unique smell (sensory/grounding/mindfulness) Soft to touch Nonjudgmental/

7 Dogs are a sensory intervention Friendly kind face (vagal) Eye gaze / (oxytocin) Unique smell (sensory/grounding/mindfulness) Soft to touch Nonjudgmental/ Unconditional positive regard * Pressure/warmth promotes grounding Calm mirroring * (mirror neurons) Promotes mindfulness/noticing (Provided dog isn t stressed)

8 Types of dogs Emotional Support Animals (extremely limited public access only housing, air travel with documentation stating need) Therapy Dogs (no public access) Professional Working Dogs with Public Access per ADA Guide Dogs Service Dogs (may not be professionally trained) Detection Dogs (Seizure, Diabetic, PTSD) Hearing Dogs Facility Dogs (limited public access) Law Enforcement Canines

9 Definition of a Facility Dog (Assistance Dogs International) A specially trained dog that is working with a volunteer or professional who is trained by a program. The work of a facility dog can include visitations or professional therapy in one or more locations. Public access is permitted only when the dog and handler, who is a trained volunteer or professional, is directly working with a client with a disability.

10 Facility Dog Legislation Illinois, Hawaii, Virginia, Mississippi, Idaho, Louisiana, Arizona, Arkansas A Facility Dog is a dog that is a graduate of an assistance dog organization that is accredited by Assistance Dogs International or a similar internationally recognized organization whose main purpose is to grant accreditation to assistance dog organizations based on standards of excellence in all areas of assistance dog acquisition, training, and placement.

11 Florida HB 151/SB 416 An act relating to proceedings involving minors or certain other persons; amending s , F.S.; 3 providing that judges may allow the use of certain 4 therapy animals or facility dogs in proceedings 5 involving abuse, abandonment, or neglect; allowing 6 such animals to be used when taking the testimony of 7 certain other persons Effective July 1, 2017

12 FL HB151 Who can get this accommodation? Victim/Witness (of any type of crime)under the age of 18 A person (any age) with an intellectual disability A sexual offense victim/witness (any age)

13 FL HB 151 What types of animals can assist? Therapy animals: An animal that has been trained, evaluated, and certified as a therapy animal pursuant to industry standards by an organization that certifies animals as appropriate to provide animal therapy. Facility dogs: a dog that has been trained, evaluated, and certified as a facility dog pursuant to industry standards and provides unobtrusive emotional support to children and adults in facility settings.

14 Therapy Animals

15 Facility Dogs

16 Industry standards for therapy animals (Pet Partners ) Animals include birds, rabbits, pigs, llamas, alpacas, equines, cats, dogs Interaction must be mutually beneficial to humans and animals Animal must be removed at first sign of stress Limited to 2 hours per day Must be attached to the volunteer by a leash at all times Liability insurance invalidated if above practices are not followed.

17 Industry standards ADI Dog does not solicit attention, visit or annoy any member of the general public Dog does not disrupt normal course of business Dog does not vocalize unnecessarily, i.e. barking, whining, growling Dog must be technically and analytically trained for maximum control and for the tasks he/she is asked to perform Dog is not required to be attached to handler while working Dog can assist witness in a courtroom for 3-4 hours

18 Common Settings for Facility Dogs Rehabilitative Settings (Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy) Counseling and Mental Health Educational Settings At risk student populations Legal/Courthouse Settings Law Enforcement Offices District Attorney s Offices Child Advocacy Centers Child Advocacy Organizations

19 Facility Dogs are the Safest Choice! Facility Dogs are safe because they are purpose bred. Facility Dogs are safe because they have been intentionally and strategically raised from birth to prepare them for working life and to be adept in a variety of public settings. Facility Dogs are safe because they have been professionally trained and assessed for suitability for the work by professionals in animal behavior and training.

20 A CCI Facility Dog is PURPOSE BRED The DNA of a facility dog is specifically designed to produce a dog that is low-reactive in emotionally charged environments. CCI Facility dogs, therefore are bred for temperament. There are vast DNA differences that occur between different breeds of dogs. For example, a dog that is highly excitable or is known for aggressive tendencies, would be a poor match for facility dog work. Up to 50% of a dog s personality can be explained by genetics * Dr. James Ha *(vonholdt, et al Nature Vol 464, No 7290 pp )

21 Canine Companions for Our breeding program staff checks each dog s temperament, trainability, health, physical attributes, littermate trends and the production history of the dam and sire. Only then are the best of the best chosen as CCI breeder dogs. Independence

22 A Facility Dog is INTENTIONALLY RAISED Breeder/Caretakers and Puppy Raisers are integral members of the team that prepare a facility dog for professional working life. Breeder/caretakers provide strategic early life experiences to imprint the young and developing nervous system to be deeply bonded to humans. Puppy raisers continue this intentional early life experience by socializing the puppy to a variety of animals, environments, and people. Puppy raisers are responsible for teaching the puppy 30 commands in basic obedience.

25 A Facility Dog is.. PROFESSIONALLY TRAINED At approximately the age of 18 months, puppy raisers bring their trained puppy to an organization that is a member of Assistance Dogs International where the young dog will undergo 6-9 months of daily training and observation/evaluation by a professional in animal behavior and dog training. A facility dog graduates after they are determined to be of sound health and can pass a public access test which reflects their ability to be safe in a public setting.

26 Safety around children Integral to the professional training of facility dogs is their ability to remain calm and controlled around young children. The public access test for facility dogs requires a child to approach a dog and pet it and for the dog to remain in a down position.

27 Implementing Dogs in the The Professional Environment Requires a professional solution a professional dog for a professional environment Requires behavioral control/exceptional demeanor (so as not to disrupt professional work goals) Requires safety for all Safety for clients, safety and liability protection for handler and agency/program.

28 Handler Selection and Training The other half of the equation that provides for the success of the facility dog in a professional environment is the selection and training of the handler. In the definition of a facility dog provided by Assistance Dogs International, it states that the dog is handled by a trained volunteer or professional. Organizations that are members of Assistance Dogs International provide specific training to handlers that they have carefully vetted and selected to receive one of their highly trained canines.

30 Top 6 Types of Handlers (data provided by Courthouse Dogs Foundation) Victim Advocates 43 Attorneys 21 Forensic Interviewers 17 Law Enforcement 15 Therapists 10 CASA 10 Outliers include but are not limited to administrators, probation officers, dual titled personnel, child life specialists, dogs with more than one handler ( as of Nov ).

31 Standard of Quality / The Department of Veteran Affairs The reliance on ADI and IGDF accreditation is no different than our reliance on other nationally standardized criteria to ensure safe, high quality health care.

32 Facility Dogs are Professional Working Dogs Certified Facility Dogs can work an 8 hour day/40 hour work week. Pet Partners recommends that even a seasoned therapy animal work no more than two hours per day. The reason for this difference is in the extensive training and preparation received by a certified facility dog from birth through beginning its career. Certified facility dogs have been intentionally bred and prepared from birth for a professional working life.

38 Non-Victim Benefits of FDs Vicarious Trauma Facility Staff First Responders Crisis Intervention Community Engagement, Collaboration, Awareness

39 Vicarious Trauma

40 Crisis Intervention

41 Community Engagement

Collaboration with other agencies Tibet s services were requested by Homeland Security Victim Assistance for an adult sex trafficking case

42 Collaboration with other agencies Tibet s services were requested by Homeland Security Victim Assistance for an adult sex trafficking case in a neighboring county. Tibet is pictured with safe house director. Tibet participated in two depositions of the victim and trial support.

Nomad, our facility dog from Canine Companions for Independence is the strong, silent type. Never ruffled, never upset by what happens in the forensic interview room or play therapy room.

43 Nomad, our facility dog from Canine Companions for Independence is the strong, silent type. Never ruffled, never upset by what happens in the forensic interview room or play therapy room. Always supportive, always comforting, always present in the moment for children who have experienced the trauma of abuse. ~ Donna Callis, play therapist Children s Advocacy Center of Bristol and Washington County, VA

44 Ace, trained by ECAD (Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities) What Ace does best is to give children someone to safely love with all their hearts. He is without question the best cotherapist I ve ever had. - Dr. David Crenshaw, Children s Home of Poughkeepsie, NY

45 E.M.S. vicarious trauma Delray has created collaboration between agencies and within our organization. Crews have said he was the highlight of their day, and that a visit with him turned a tough day around. Erica Olsen paramedic, Delray s handler

46 Rhonda Robbins and Leroy Southmountain Children and Family Services CAC Leroy is known as the "silent hero". He has a tremendous impact on victim s; providing empathy, comfort, and a sense of security. We have found that Leroy has an innate ability to recognize and calm the most dysregulated child and tier his approach in comforting them. His gentle mannerisms and non-judgmental approach is unique and constantly inspiring. His jobs include assisting in court, Forensic Interviews, Child Medical Exams,therapy, and School Intervention Services. School Intervention programs include Paws to read with Leroy; a reading program allowing children to gain confidence in their reading skills while getting experience reading aloud. Groups with Leroy include; small groups focusing on Grief/Loss, Anxiety, Conflict Management and Bullying. These programs have created excitement among teachers, students and parents all the while incorporating a fun way to learn and improve coping skills.

47 Chelsey Moore and Roma The good that Roma does every single day simply cannot be measured. We have been a team for two years and in that time she has participated in everything from forensic interviews to murder trials. She has been an indescribable asset not just to our victims, but to our witnesses, defendants, courthouse employees, and our community at large. And for the amazing work that she does, all she asks in return is that you scratch her behind her ears and tell her she s a good girl. I cannot imagine what our Circuit would be without her. Chelsey L. Moore, Assistant Solicitor, 10 th Circuit Solicitor s Office, Anderson, S.C.

48 Team Caber Caber s impact on victims has been, simply put, life changing for many. Whether it s the victim who could not have testified without him in court, the domestic violence victim who said he just understands or the countless victims in Las Vegas who held on and wouldn t let him go Caber s impact has been far reaching. Kim Gramlich, Victim Svcs. Coordinator, Delta PD, Canada

49 Tommy Beeson and Duvall After 44 yrs. in law enforcement working different types of crimes, I never had the time to really work with the victims. I had to move on to the next case and I didn t get to see them to the end. After starting to work with Duvall and seeing the effect he has with the victims, my whole outlook has changed. These dogs work wonders for victims in the criminal justice system. Thomas Beeson, Chief Investigator, Terebonne Parish D.A. s Office

50 In Summary Facility dogs have proven, in the communities and facilities where they are working, to be integral members of their trauma-informed multi-disciplinary teams. Their positive impact on victims is difficult at best to quantify because the benefit reaches beyond what happens at the facility. Facility dogs are not only invaluable to victims, but to the staff who work with this challenging population, and to the surrounding communities in which they serve. The addition of a facility dog to your team communicates that you care about victims and you care about your community.

52 Resources Brenda Kocher / Denise Conus xt content/uploads/2017/02/facility-dogs-at-cacs-best- Practices-Final pdf /service-dogs

Advocating for Children with Disabilities Using a Facility Dog

Advocating for Children with Disabilities Using a Facility Dog Suzanne Parker, Director Guardian ad Litem 13 th Judicial Circuit Brenda Kocher, volunteer Guardian ad Litem 13 th Judicial Circuit Understand