Promoting Justice with Compassion

Courthouse Dogs Foundation

Expert education and guidance for legal professionals

Since 2003 courthouse dogs have provided comfort to sexually abused children while they undergo forensic interviews and testify in court. These dogs also assist treatment court participants in their recovery, visit juveniles in detention facilities, greet jurors and lift the spirits of courthouse staff who often conduct their business in an adversarial setting.

Courthouse dogs specialize in assisting individuals with physical, psychological, or emotional trauma due to criminal conduct.  These facility dogs should be graduates from assistance dog organizations that are accredited members of Assistance Dogs International to ensure that they do not create a public danger and are stable, well-behaved, and unobtrusive to the public. Courthouse facility dogs are handled by criminal justice professionals, such as a deputy prosecutor, a law enforcement officer, a victim advocate, or a forensic interviewer.

The use of courthouse dogs can help bring about a major change in how we meet the emotional needs of all involved in the criminal justice system. Their calming presence promotes justice with compassion.

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Inmates from the Arizona Department of Corrections
Make a Donation to the Courthouse Dogs Foundation

 

On March 10, 2013 we unexpectedly received a letter and a check for $701.00 from the Arizona Department of Corrections. The letter simply said that “This check is the result of the generosity of the Santa Rosa inmates. I am sure it will be put to good use by your worthy organization.”

The names of twenty women who participated in this fundraising activity were listed on the check. Some of these women are employed by businesses like Hickman’s Egg Ranch where the inmates are described as hard workers. 

Needless to say we are very touched to receive this gift from them. It has been our Foundation’s long-standing belief that courthouse dogs should be for everyone affected by stressful legal proceedings regardless of what side of the law they are on. This act of kindness, from women behind bars, only reinforces this principle. Human suffering is never a good thing. Thank goodness these wonderful dogs don’t care who is experiencing it.