2. Purpose
Emotional support may be enhanced by even relatively
brief interactions with animals. The unconditional and
loving nature of most therapy animals aids in building a
rapport with professional adults and promotes
engagement with the child, who may be nervous or
withdrawn.
Trained and certified animal teams are currently
available to CAC therapists that feel the comforting
presence of an animal will aid in the therapy process.
3.
4.
5. Florida House Bill- 2011-251
The “Walk in Their Shoes Act” amended
Florida statute 92.55 to create a
subsection which allows for courts to set
conditions on the taking of testimony of
children under 16 to include the use of a
therapy animal in proceedings involving
sexual offense.
6. Sally is a 6 month old
Great Pyrenees that is
currently in training
with her handler
Donna Herbst.
7.
8. 92.55 Judicial or other proceedings involving victims or witness under
the age of 16 or person with mental retardation; special protections;
use of registered service or therapy animals.
(4) The court may set any other conditions it finds just and
appropriate on the taking of testimony by a child, including the use
of a service or therapy animal that has been evaluated and
registered according to national standards, in any proceeding
involving a sexual offense. When deciding whether to permit a child
to testify with the assistance of a registered service or therapy
animal, the court shall take into consideration the age of the child,
the interests of the child, the rights of the parties in the litigation. And
any other relevant factor that would facilitate the testimony of the
child.
9. 92.55 (4) Requirements
Pet must be a registered therapy dog.
Child must be under the age of 16.
Sexual offense case.
The objective in using the therapy dog
must be to facilitate the testimony of the
child.
10. Peyton
Peyton is an 8 year-old Golden Retriever
and has been registered through Therapy
Dogs, Inc. along with her partner Jennie
Curtis. She is an obedience champion with
her Canine Good Citizen certification and
also boasts a fly ball title as well as Rally
Excellence title. She will catch gummy
bears (rarely missing one) and is the most
interactive dog in our team
11. What to Include in Motion for Therapy Dog
1. Provide evidence that the presence of a dog with the child made a
difference.
Social workers, therapists and forensic interviewers who dealt with the
child before and after interacting with the dog can show that the child
seemed more relaxed and was able to better communicate what
happened when in the presence of the dog. This can be done by way of
affidavit or live testimony.
2. Provide evidence of the Therapy Dogs training.
If the judge has never met the dog or seen the dog in action, ask the judge
if the dog may be present in the courtroom during the hearing and assure
the judge that the dog will lie quietly under the counsel table.
Have the Courthouse Dogs Foundation introductory DVD to show the judge
and defense counsel.
12. About Therapy Dogs, Inc.
Therapy dogs are personal pets which meet certain
requirements of good manners and good health, and pass
testing and evaluations: Therapy dogs must –
•Be at least one year of age
•Be good around other dogs
•Listen to their handlers
•Allow strangers to touch them all over
•Not jump on people when interacting
•Walk on a leash without pulling
•Not mind strange noises and smells
•Be calm for petting
•Not be afraid of people walking unsteadily
•Be current on all vaccines required by the local laws
•Have a negative fecal test every 12 months
•Be clean and well groomed
13. HOPE
Hope is an 8 year-old Australian
Shepard certified in R.E.A.D. as
well as receiving her Canine
Good Certification. Along with her
handler Cynthia Pledger, she has
been registered as a therapy dog
through Therapy Dogs, Inc.
14. ZUES
Zues is a 7 year old
Newfoundland. Together with
his partner Deb McCoy he has
been registered through
Therapy Dogs, Inc.
15. How to Minimize Potential Prejudice
Against the Defendant
1. A Dog in the Witness Box
To reduce the chance that the sight of the dog could influence the jury the
witness and the dog should get situated in the witness box prior to the jury
entering to listen to testimony.
Even though the dog may be unseen by the jury, it is important that they know
that a dog is present in the witness stand.
2. A Dog in Sight of the Witness
Not all vulnerable witnesses require the dog be in close physical proximity
while testifying. Merely looking at the dog lying down can have a calming
effect. In this circumstance, the dog could be lying in the view of the witness
under counsel table or in front of the spectator’s bench with a handler.
16. IZZY
Izzy is an 6 year old Newfoundland.
She has her Citizens Companion
Certification. For the past 4 years Izzy
along with her partner Diane Seitz has
been a certified therapy dog with Pet
Partners. Izzy will leave her sessions
with a kiss and bow goodbye!
17. Joining our team soon will be Booker-T
and Ky. Both are registered therapy
dogs with Therapy Dogs, Inc. along with
their partner Kelly Legaretta. Booker-T
will be our smallest pet advocate
weighing in at just 5 lbs.!
Kylie (‘Ky’) is an Australian Shepard
that can catch a ball airborne and
can put a smile on anyone’s face.
18. Why use Pet Advocates?
Therapy dogs can offer victims comfort and reassurance
during court appearances, including depositions, hearings
and trial.
It can be frightening for children to tell their stories to adult
strangers. Therapy animals can ease this fear.
A child’s fear of testifying about private events can be
intensified when having to see the defendant in the
courtroom. Therapy animals helping the child both inside and
outside the courtroom can calm him/her, thus resulting in
more efficient and accurate testimony and less trauma to the
child.
19. Jill Turner
CEO and Founder
Jturner@CAC-SWFL.ORG
(239) 939-2808 ext. 211
Val Gill
Clinical/Prevention Director
Vgill@CAC-SWFL.ORG
(239) 939-2808 ext. 220
Karen Fordiani
Pet Therapy Program Coordinator
Kfordiani@CAC-SWFL.ORG
(239) 939-2808 ext.218
