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Courthouse Dogs

Courthouse Dogs. legal Companions for all. History. First dog used in a courtroom was back in 1992, a German Sheppard named Vachss. In 2005, Crawford v. Washington redefined the Confrontation Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

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Courthouse Dogs

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  1. Courthouse Dogs legal Companions for all

  2. History First dog used in a courtroom was back in 1992, a German Sheppard named Vachss. In 2005, Crawford v. Washington redefined the Confrontation Clause of the U.S. Constitution. In response to the changed interpretation, Ellen O’Neill-Stephens started using her son’s therapy dog in Seattle courts. O’Neill-Stephens and Celeste Walsen founded Courthouse Dogs, LLC in 2008. 18 jurisdictions across the country now have a courthouse dog.

  3. Overall Less Stressful Environment A courthouse dog can be used by any participant in the courtroom by request. O’Neill-Stephens stated that a courthouse dog calms down the edgy, harsh judicial system for the lawyers, judge, staff members, defendant, and witnesses. Drug court is a popular place for a courthouse dog to be used.

  4. Better Testimony The judicial system can be daunting for a child or an adult who has been victimized or traumatized. A courthouse dog can be assigned to a child or adult from the very beginning, ensuring that the child or adult will bond with the animal throughout the entire process. A courthouse dog can be present at a forensic interview, defense interview, trial, sentencing, and victim’s impact statement. "Sometimes the dog means the difference between a conviction and an acquittal" ~Ellen O'Neill-Stephens

  5. Constant Comfort A courtroom is a strange environment for most people and add the pressure/stress of testifying. Dogs, according to a study performed by Purdue and University of Pennsylvania professors, relieve stress, decrease blood pressure, decrease heart rate, regulate breathing, and reduce muscle tension. Such a reaction can occur within 5 to 24 minutes of having contact with the dog. "It was like I had no other friends in the courthouse except Ellie“~ Douglas Lare

  6. Douglas Lare and Ellie Douglas Lare, a developmentally disabled man, was robbed by his “girlfriend” and had his house broken into three times in one week. He was left suicidal and terrified. The district attorney offered Ellie as guidance throughout the entire process Due to Lare’s testimony, a conviction was served.

  7. Solution • According to Walsen, there is no one set solution to this problem. • Steps • Educating the public through advocacy • Establishing standards into legislation and law • Certifying dogs • Creating courtroom procedures • Placing dogs • Overall goal, having a dog in each jurisdiction

  8. Opposing Viewpoints Open for discussion

  9. Closing Less stress + better testimony + constant comfort = Courthouse dogs

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