Training people for successful partnerships with courthouse facility dogs
Join Us for the Exciting 10th Annual International Courthouse Dog Conference!
We’re thrilled to celebrate a decade of dedication, compassion, and impact at this year’s 10th Annual Conference for Facility Dog Handlers — and we want YOU to be a part of it!
Date: September 4 & 5 , 2025
Location: Rosen Shingle Creek Resort, Orlando, Florida
This milestone event will feature:
- Inspiring keynote speakers and trailblazers in the field
- Interactive workshops to enhance your skills
- Hands-on sessions with experienced handlers and trainers
- Networking opportunities with fellow facility dog teams
- A look back at how far we’ve come — and what’s ahead for the next 10 years!
Whether you’re new to facility dog work or a seasoned handler, this conference is a can’t-miss opportunity to learn, grow, and connect with the passionate community making a difference every day.
Let’s celebrate the power of partnership between handler and dog and honor the meaningful work you do!
Register now and secure your spot.
Spread the word and bring your fellow handlers — the more, the merrier!
What is a courthouse facility dog?
Courthouse facility dogs are professionally trained dogs working throughout the country in prosecutor’s offices, child advocacy centers, and family courts. They primarily provide a calming influence for children during stressful legal proceedings.
As legally neutral companions for witnesses during the investigation and prosecution of crimes, these dogs help the most vulnerable witnesses feel willing and able to describe what happened. The dogs also provide emotional support to participants in family court proceedings and in specialty/treatment courts.
Develop an outstanding Courthouse Dog Program
Courthouse Dogs Foundation is a nonprofit organization that promotes the use of facility dog to provide support to vulnerable people during stressful legal proceedings. These dogs are graduates from assistance dog organization that are members of Assistance Dogs International and they are handled by professionals working in the legal system.
These programs work
Courthouse facility dogs provide a compassionate way to help traumatized victims tell their stories. Because of the success of this program, more participants in law enforcement and the judicial system are recognizing its value and seeking information about how to get started.
For people interested in starting a courthouse facility dogs program in your organization, we can help you:
Events
No upcoming events at this time. Please check back later!
News
-
Dogs in the Courtroom: The Increasingly Widespread Use of Facility Dogs in Courtrooms
Read this -
Canine companions in the courtroom – Will dogs in court soon become common practice?
Read this -
Courthouse comfort dog Hatty melts away anxiety for reticent young abuse victims
Read this -
Justice facility dogs: The quiet, skilled heroes helping child victims
Read this -
From the Doghouse to the Courthouse: Facility Dogs as Trial Aids for Vulnerable Witnesses
Read this -
How Iggy and fellow courthouse dogs lend a paw to make trials less scary for young witnesses
Read this -
Four-legged therapist offers unconditional support at the SAFV Centre
Read this
