Training professionals working in the legal system for successful partnerships with courthouse facility dogs
Mission
Courthouse Dogs Foundation educates legal professionals about the benefits of including courthouse facility dogs in the investigation and prosecution of crimes and other stressful legal proceedings and how to successfully implement a courthouse facility dog program using best practices in this field.
Vision
We envision continued growth in the use of courthouse facility dog teams that improve the fact-finding process in the legal system by helping vulnerable people participate in stressful legal proceedings.
Activities
As an independent nonprofit organization, we strive to accomplish our mission by:
- Educating members of the public and legal professionals about the benefits of courthouse facility dogs assisting vulnerable people in the legal system.
- Guiding governmental agencies (prosecutor offices and law enforcement agencies) and nonprofit organizations (child advocacy centers and victim advocacy groups) in program development using a best practices model.
- Supporting assistance dog organizations, that are members of Assistance Dogs International, that train and place facility dogs with legal professionals working with victims, witnesses and other vulnerable people involved in the investigation and prosecution of crimes and other stressful legal proceedings.
- Encouraging and facilitating scientific research on the use of courthouse facility dogs.
Over the past few years, we have carried out our mission by:
- Speaking to thousands of people in person at conferences, workshops, and training presentations.
- Providing comprehensive consultation on program development via phone and email.
- Fostering program development for more than 250 successful Courthouse Dog Programs.