courthouse canine_july2015rrl_pg16-19final

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Just imagine. You’re 7 years old and you’ve witnessed a terrible crime. Now, you have to tell the story to strangers with shiny badges. The trauma is unbearable. Your sleep is often interrupted with nightmares. A few months later, the “big day” arrives. A policeman opens a heavy door, and you enter a large but quiet room where lots of adults stare as you walk toward a chair up front. A man in a black robe sits on high watching your every move, while “the bad guy” is seated just a few feet away. The entire experience is terrifying. But add a specially trained canine to the equation, and the dynamics can change sub- stantially. Dozens of studies in recent years reveal the numerous positive effects human- animal interaction can have on people, such as reducing fear and anxiety, while increas- ing calmness and trust. A new trend nationally in the criminal jus- tice field offers solace to vulnerable victims and witnesses. Currently, 82 uniquely trained canines in 28 states are providing comfort for apprehensive persons during forensic interviews, trial preparations and legal proceedings. Willow, a 3-year-old Labrador/retriever mix who is based at the One Place Family Justice Center in downtown Montgomery, is the only official “courthouse canine” in Ala- bama, and she has already made a significant impact in her first year “on the job.” This professionally trained facility dog primarily works with victims of domestic violence, sex- ual assault and elder abuse. 16 RIVER REGION LIVING Courthouse Canine Offers Comfort By DARLENE HUTCHINSON BIEHL Photos by DIANNA PAULK The only official "courthouse dog" in Alabama, Willow assists victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and elder abuse.

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Page 1: Courthouse Canine_July2015RRL_Pg16-19FINAL

Just imagine.You’re 7 years

old and you’ve witnessed a terrible crime.Now, you have to tell the story to strangerswith shiny badges. The trauma isunbearable. Your sleep is often interruptedwith nightmares. A few months later, the“big day” arrives. A policeman opens aheavy door, and you enter a large but quietroom where lots of adults stare as you walktoward a chair up front. A man in a blackrobe sits on high watching your everymove, while “the bad guy” is seated just afew feet away. The entire experience isterrifying.

But add a specially trained canine to theequation, and the dynamics can change sub-stantially. Dozens of studies in recent yearsreveal the numerous positive effects human-animal interaction can have on people, suchas reducing fear and anxiety, while increas-ing calmness and trust.A new trend nationally in the criminal jus-tice field offers solace to vulnerable victimsand witnesses. Currently, 82 uniquelytrained canines in 28 states are providingcomfort for apprehensive persons duringforensic interviews, trial preparations andlegal proceedings. Willow, a 3-year-old Labrador/retrievermix who is based at the One Place FamilyJustice Center in downtown Montgomery, isthe only official “courthouse canine” in Ala-bama, and she has already made a significantimpact in her first year “on the job.” Thisprofessionally trained facility dog primarilyworks with victims of domestic violence, sex-ual assault and elder abuse.

16 RIVER REGION LIVING

Courthouse CanineOffers Comfort

By DARLENE HUTCHINSON BIEHL Photos by DIANNA PAULK

The only official"courthouse dog" inAlabama, Willow assistsvictims of domesticviolence, sexual assault,and elder abuse.

Page 2: Courthouse Canine_July2015RRL_Pg16-19FINAL

A Dream Becomes RealityTamara Martin is Willow’s handler. With a bachelor’s degreein sociology from AUM (and minors in psychology and socialwork) this Montgomery native began her career in the 1980sworking with the Family Violence Program and Montgomery’srape crisis center. Tamara then spent 21 years as a federal pro-bation officer where she conducted investigations and coordi-nated training programs.But as Tamara approached retirement, she thought back toan article she saw about a “courthouse dog” program. She re-searched the topic further and spoke to the program directorin Washington State. Tamara believed the concept could be suc-cessful in Montgomery, and she began pitching the idea tothose deeply involved in the legal community locally. The re-sponse was encouraging, so Tamara took the leap. She retiredfrom the federal court system in August 2013; nine monthslater she was in Orlando, Fla., being matched with Willow, andthe team began work at One Place in June 2014. (Tamara nowserves in this role as a volunteer.)“I have loved animals all my life,” Tamara says. “Victimshave always been my heart too. When you can take the twopassions you have and put it all together into one, it’s a win-win. I have to give credit to God, that all of my previous em-ployments were preparing me for my current ‘job.’” Willow and Tamara usually work at One Place comfortingvictims as they arrive and complete the necessary paperwork,but the pup also keeps children company in the playroom, oroffers reassurance to sexual assault victims as they are awaiting

an exam. Many who work in the court system are still gettingused to the idea of having a four-legged participant present. Inaddition to being at grand jury occasionally, Willow has at-tended hearings where pleas and sentences occurred. Plus,Tamara and Willow have had many speaking engagements inthis first year, as they familiarize public officials and commu-nity groups with the invaluable service this special pup offers. It’s particularly soothing when the canine snuggles close toa victim during an interview, lays its head in the lap of an anx-ious person, or gazes compassionately at the witness who’s re-counting a painful event.The first time Willow and Tamara worked grand jury, anolder teenager met Willow in the waiting room. After spendinga little time together, the victim asked if Willow could go withher as she testified. The victim became very upset on the wit-ness stand and didn’t know if she could finish her testimony.“She said Willow rubbed her head against her leg to let herknow she was doing a good job and that it was going to beokay,” Tamara recalls. Following protocol set by the Courthouse Dogs Foundation,Tamara always verifies that Willow is inconspicuous duringcourt proceedings and isn’t disruptive. The canines are neveranimated in court and are typically in the “down position” andhidden from jurors. But the calming effect of having Willownearby can help a witness communicate better and put themat ease, especially in a court setting that is adversarial by na-ture.In an average month, Willow visits with and assists about30 to 40 victims/witnesses. “I just hope she can provide a lis-

JULY 2015 17

Page 3: Courthouse Canine_July2015RRL_Pg16-19FINAL

tening ear, unconditional love and acceptance of all people, andgive victims and witnesses the courage to speak up and beheard,” Tamara adds.

How the Program WorksBefore Tamara met “her partner,” Willow received extensivetraining from Canine Companions for Independence in Or-lando, Fla. A non-profit association founded in 1975, CCItrains and matches pups to work as service dogs, hearing dogs,skilled companion dogs, as well as facility dogs. CCI has placedmore than 4,500 graduate teams in their 40 years of existence.From the age of 8 weeks to 18 months, the canines are in thehands of “puppy raisers” (more than 1,000 volunteers nation-wide provide homes and basic training during this criticalstage). The canines are gently exposed to stressful situationsto see how they’ll react and be sure they aren’t easily distracted,and that they have the ideal demeanor for their assignment.Subsequently, the dogs receive six months of advanced instruc-tion at CCI, but only 40 percent of the canines that enter thefinal phase of training will graduate as an official assistancedog. If they make the cut, the pups then endure two weeks ofrigorous training with their handlers. Willow is valued at $50,000 and is “on loan” from CCI toOne Place, although she lives with Tamara, who is responsiblefor her food and care, and veterinary services are donated byGoodwin Animal Hospital. No city or county funds are ex-pended on the courthouse dog program. Facility dogs typicallywork six to eight years before being retired. Willow knows and responds to about 40 commands, includ-ing “shake,” “high five,” “get” (picking up items from thefloor), and “visit” (placing her head in someone’s lap). Partic-ularly entertaining to children is how Willow can flip pages ina story book, turn lights on/off when entering or leaving aroom, and “playing” kids’ card games.And to spread the word about this new program, Willow al-ways has a stash of business cards in her vest pocket and read-ily shares them (of course, she needs some assistance from

Tamara to unzip and retrieve a card, but Willow will hold thecard in her mouth until the recipient takes it).Training for “therapy dogs” and “facility dogs” is different,as facility dogs will respond to commands from people otherthan just the trainer/handler. And it can be incredibly empow-ering to a child to be able to give Willow a command; suddenlya relationship develops and the child is soon at ease.

Policies & LegislationCourthouse Dogs Foundation was established in Seattle,Wash., to “promote justice with compassion.” Ellen O’Neill-Stephens retired after 26 years as a prosecutor in WashingtonState, and in 2003, she pioneered the use of facility dogs thatare graduates of assistance dog organizations to provide sup-port to those involved in the justice system. Celeste Walsen, aveterinarian who has a degree also in psychology, helped createthe foundation in 2008 and now serves as the executive direc-tor of CDF. Ellen and Celeste recently traveled to Montgomeryfor an all-day training program in hopes of expanding the useof courthouse dogs.To maintain the integrity of the legal system and not com-promise a criminal case, “best practices” have been developedby the foundation and some states are pursuing legislation toset standards. In fact, lawmakers in Arkansas and Illinois ap-proved bills this spring specifying how and when courthousedogs should be used.According to CDF, it’s imperative for facility dogs to receivetwo years of training and graduate from an organization thatis a member of Assistance Dogs International. The caninesshould also pass the same public access test a service dog wouldbe required to take, and jurors may receive appropriate instruc-tions to prevent prejudice for or against any party. It’s criticalthat courthouse dogs remain legally neutral companions forwitnesses during the investigation and prosecution of crimes,as opposed to “therapy dogs,” which indicates they may be par-tial to a witness/victim.If standardized accreditation is established for facility dogs,this will prevent canines without sufficient training from beingin the courtroom and being disruptive. Also, facility dogs in alegal setting should always wear a vest or other indication oftheir official status, and should always be on leash. Additionally in 2011, the National District Attorneys Asso-ciation adopted guidelines in support of courthouse dogs, par-ticularly in the investigation of crimes involving young orvulnerable victims, and NDAA recommends that handlers arecriminal justice professionals.Willow appears docile and calm throughout much of herwork day, even in chaotic environments, but Tamara providesa little insight about what happens after-hours: “When she getsoff after a long, tiring day, Willow takes off running as hardand fast as she can around the yard. She loves to play ball, playwith her Frisbee, and play with other dogs. She’s just like ahuman when she gets off work — she’s ready to play and relaxand just be a ‘happy girl’.” ^

LEARN MOREFind and “like” the Facebook page for“Willow VI” to follow her activities.

18 RIVER REGION LIVING

Retiring after 21 years as a federal probation officer, TamaraMartin helped bring the "courthouse dog" program toMontgomery, and now volunteers as Willow's full-time handler.

Page 4: Courthouse Canine_July2015RRL_Pg16-19FINAL

JULY 2015 19

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