5/30/2017 Courthouse Facility Dogs Improve the Investigation and - PDF document

5/30/2017 Courthouse Facility Dogs Improve the Investigation and Prosecution of Crimes Utah Office for Victims of Crime Snowbird, UT June 8, 2017 www.courthousedogs.org Emotional Trauma in the Legal System Salvador Aleman Cruz – serial child rapist Rape victim's threat to jump off courthouse roof Inmate was at hospital hours before may derail case jumping from Seattle courthouse window November 30, 2010 November 4, 2010 By Mike Carter and Jennifer Sullivan By Jennifer Sullivan Seattle Times staff reporters Seattle Times staff reporter A 29-year-old Auburn man who jumped to A 21-year-old child-rape victim who was set to confront her his death from the 11th floor of the King County Courthouse alleged attacker in a Seattle courtroom Thursday afternoon, Tuesday morning had been at Harborview Medical Center made her way onto the roof of the King County Courthouse the night before because of deepening depression, and spent about three hours threatening to jump before according to his family. she was led to safety. 1

5/30/2017 Dogs Reduce Stress in Humans We feel safe when we are with a relaxed dog. The Beginning of Courthouse Dog Programs Petting a dog reduces our stress level. 2

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5/30/2017 141 courthouse facility dogs are working in 35 states Jessica Willis, Victim Advocate, And What is a Rubix Courthouse Facility Dog? Courthouse Facility Dog Weber County Kona Attorney’s Office Courthouse Facility Dog Unitah and Daggett Counties Children’s Justice Center 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. www.assistancedogsinternational.org Facility dog 4

5/30/2017 Not a therapy dog Genetics Not a service dog Preparation Begins at Birth 5

5/30/2017 Puppy Socialization and Training 6

5/30/2017 Professional Training and Evaluation of Young Adult Dog 7

5/30/2017 Kevin Kelly, Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kerris Handler Training Kitsap County and Certification 8

5/30/2017 Industry standards for facility dogs Industry standards for facility dogs (Assistance Dogs International) (Assistance Dogs International) • Dog must be technically and analytically trained for • Dog does not solicit attention, visit, or annoy any maximum control and for the tasks he/she is asked to Concerns member of the general public. perform. • Dog does not disrupt the normal course of business. • Dog is not required to be attached by leash to its handler when working. • Dog does not vocalize unnecessarily, i.e. barking, growling, whining. • Dog can assist witness in courtroom for 3 – 4 hours. Courthouse Facility Dog In the Courthouse 9

5/30/2017 Marion County, Ohio, Family Court Camry greeting people in the lobby Camry helping out on adoption day Camry keeping everyone calm in juvenile court Camry brokers peace deal between opposing counsel Juvenile offender performing community service Establishing rapport Courthouse Facility Dogs at Child Advocacy Centers 10

5/30/2017 Courthouse Facility Dogs In Forensic Interviews Fantasy 11

5/30/2017 Just tell Stilson. See, Ellie loves me. Medical Exams 12

5/30/2017 Play Therapy Therapy Courthouse Facility Dogs Support Vulnerable People in the Prosecution of Crimes The Need for Trauma Sensitive Courts Child Witness in the Courtroom The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) research links childhood Domestic Violence Policy Statement from the abuse and neglect with adult onset of chronic Chad’s Story American Academy of Pediatrics disease, mental illness, violence and being a February 2017 victim of violence. CDC and DOJ Accused Child Molester to Cross- Examine His Daughters ages 7 and 8 Father and Defendant Chris Simcox 13

5/30/2017 Factors to consider during pretrial hearing Pretrial motion – minimizing prejudice to the defendant • Have dog and witness enter and exit outside the presence of the jury. • Have dog concealed in the witness box as much as possible. Defense • Jury instructions objections • Do not refer to the dog as a therapy or advocate dog. Dog in the gallery Child and facility dog in witness box 14

5/30/2017 Appellate Court Decisions Jury instruction Washington California - 2 •You must not draw any inference either favorably or negatively for either side because of the dog’s presence. New York Connecticut •You must not permit sympathy for any party to enter into your considerations as you listen to the testimony. Ohio – 2 Michigan •The presence of the facility dog is in no way to be interpreted as reflecting on the truthfulness of the testimony offered by the witness nor does it Tennessee suggest the court’s endorsement of the testifying witness. Texas •Each witness’s testimony must be evaluated upon the instructions I give Arizona you during my charge and on nothing more. How to Make a Bullet-Proof Appellate Record Cases fall into two groups: Douglas Lare • Prosecutor must make an adequate record 1. Use of dog allowed if it will assist witness in with Ellie testifying (New York, Michigan, Tennessee, for the accommodation Texas, Connecticut, Arizona, and Ohio). • Make a record of the court’s decision 2. Use of dog allowed only if it is necessary to facilitate witness’s testimony (Washington and • Make a record of the dog’s behavior in the California). courtroom Developing a Courthouse Dog Program 15

5/30/2017 It only takes one person to begin a program, Steps in program development but you need to be a team player. 1. Research, including budget and timeline 2. Bring in stakeholders 3. Create job description for your dog 4. Choose the handler(s) 5. Choose an accredited service dog school and apply for a dog 6. Develop protocols and prepare your office for the dog 7. Train judges, prosecutors, defense bar, victim advocates, etc. 8. Team training for the handler 9. Incorporate the dog into your office Average program development cost is Factors influencing development costs $5,000 to $20,000. Hayward • Cost of dog fundraising for the CAC in • Distance to assistance dog school Hammond, Louisiana • Training of judges and other legal professionals – DIY vs. consultants First 2 – 6 months – After preparation steps, the Typical timeline for program development 1 to 2 years Preparation Steps next 6 to 18 months 1. Applying for a dog 1. Research, including creating draft budgets 2. Creating protocols and preparing your office 2. Enlisting stakeholders for a dog 3. Creating a job description for the dog 3. Training for legal professionals 4. Choosing the primary and secondary handlers 4. Handler training 5. Integrating dog into office 16

5/30/2017 Assistance Dogs International Initial research Free download from www.courthousedogs.org www.courthousedogs.org www.assistancedogsinternational.org Ideas from successful Job Description for Your Who are the stakeholders? programs Facility Dog • Who will he work with? Just children? Just clients of • Colleagues Email all of your colleagues and ask what they • your child advocacy center? • Director of your agency think of the idea. File responses to use later. • What services will he take part in? Forensic interviews? • Board of directors Medical exams? Meet and greet with the prosecutor? • Elected prosecutor Lasagne lunch for the judges to show the Pretrial hearings? Criminal trials? • • Law enforcement agencies Courthouse Dogs DVD • Will he only work at the CAC or only at the DA’s office? • Judges Or both? • County council or quorum court Have a working facility dog visit your courthouse • Will he be made available to children who are witnesses • • Others? or child advocacy center to demonstrate their for the defense? temperament and behavior Choosing the primary Primary Handler Before beginning application process for a handler dog, you must have in place: • Provides home for dog • Wants to be the handler! • Primary handler (and secondary if needed) • Works with the dog • Commitment to stay with agency for • Permission for facility dog to work in your the most at least 5 years building (in writing) • Is the dog’s advocate • No dog experience needed • Enthusiastic support of all stakeholders Dr. David Crenshaw and Ace • Dog compatible with family life 17

5/30/2017 Factors to consider in Application process While you are waiting… choosing the school different for each school. • Cost of dog Consider written protocol • • Location of school Furnish your office and interview room • • Dog placed with agency or individual? • Do they send a trainer to your location? Train your staff members, judges, • prosecutors, defense bar, law enforcement • Wait list for applicants • Do they provide insurance? • References from clients Dog needs a home at the office Furnishing your interview room or lobby Training for your professional staff 18

5/30/2017 Integrating the dog into your office Handler attends team training Staff Rules Avoid interacting with the dog when it is in its vest. Do not disturb the dog when he is in his crate or resting. Never feed our facility dog. No exceptions! 19

5/30/2017 Do not give the dog commands. Only designated handlers should direct the dog’s action. www.courthousedogs.org Courthouse Dogs Foundation 20