The criminal justice system can feel uncompassionate, with many victims finding the experience of giving evidence retraumatizing. For this reason, courtrooms have started to introduce facility dogs to support vulnerable witnesses. These specially trained dogs are most often included in cases of child abuse and sexual assault, where they comfort the victims through physical contact and staying close by whilst they recount traumatic experiences.
The presence of courthouse facility dogs can help reduce a witness’s feelings of stress and anxiety, as well as providing non-judgmental social support, reducing their feelings of isolation. This in turn makes it easier for the witness to focus on their testimony, answer questions and recall memories. Not only does this help manage the emotional toll of the judicial system, but it also improves the accuracy and clarity of witness testimony.
The science behind their use
Previous research has shown that spending time with a dog can lower a person’s cortisol levels, the so-called stress hormone. Interacting with dogs has also been found to reduce a person’s heart rate and blood pressure, which are physiological markers of stress. This may be especially important for survivors of trauma and individuals with PTSD or anxiety disorders.
Research has also found that interacting with dogs can increase a person’s oxytocin levels, the so-called love hormone, which is associated with trust and relaxation. In addition, a growing number of studies have demonstrated the psychological wellbeing benefits of animal-assisted interventions in stressful situations such as hospitals, reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and trauma.
Supporting child witnesses
By leveraging the power of the human-animal bond, facility courthouse dogs can create a sense of security in an environment which can feel intimidating and overwhelming. This is particularly important for child witnesses, which studies have shown are less distressed and able to provide clearer testimony with the support of a facility dog. This enhanced composure not only benefits the child, but also members of the jury who are given more accurate information.
Courthouse facility dogs not only provide companionship and physical contact to vulnerable witnesses, like children, when they provide testimony in the courtroom, but can accompany them through the entire legal process. Facility dogs can accompany children during depositions, meetings, and court recesses, helping to keep the child calm and make them feel less alone during a difficult time.
Fairness and bias
Since the benefits of courthouse facility dogs are clear, some defense counsels have expressed concerns regarding the potential ability of facility dogs to influence jurors, garnering sympathy for the victim. However, to date, research has revealed that facility dogs in courtrooms do not sway the jury, but instead help witnesses to control their emotions and deliver better testimony.
The effect of facility dogs in the courtroom was further explored in a recent study into the potential influence of the color of the courthouse facility dog. The black dog bias is an effect commonly observed in animal shelters, where black dogs are perceived as being less friendly and more aggressive compared to dogs with lighter colored coats. Therefore, the aim of the study was to determine whether this bias influenced how jurors perceived witnesses supported by black dogs, compared to white.
The results revealed that black facility dogs were not associated with negative stereotypes. In fact, the child was perceived as being more composed and less sad when they were supported by a black facility dog. This suggests that the comforting influence of the black dog challenged jurors’ preconceived views about black dogs, resulting in a more positive perception. However, further research is needed to understand the wider impact of facility dogs on legal proceedings.
The future of facility dogs
With growing awareness and scientific support for the impact dogs can have on our physical and psychological wellbeing, it is likely that more courthouses will adopt the use of facility dogs. These dogs can be invaluable for vulnerable individuals during legal proceedings, helping them to feel safer and more relaxed when testifying. However, in order to achieve this, more facility dog programs are needed to train these dogs.
These programs train and prepare facility dogs for what they will experience in a courtroom. This includes training them to remain calm in high-stress situations, respond appropriately to emotional cues, and to provide physical comfort when needed. Organizations, such as the Courthouse Dogs Foundation, provide dogs which are members of Assistance Dogs International and are handled by professionals working in the legal system. They have also created a manual on best practices which provides advice on how to implement using a facility dog in legal settings.
Conclusions
Courthouse facility dogs support vulnerable witnesses during the judicial process. By reducing emotional distress and making them feel safer, facility dogs can help witnesses stay calmer, which in turn enables them to give clearer and more accurate testimony, contributing to fairer legal proceedings.
Article by Dr. Carla J Hart: https://linktr.ee/carlajadehart
Image from Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:AstroCourthouseFacilityDog.jpg