The need for trauma sensitive courts is clear when children become involved in the court system as victims of abuse. The Ninth Circuit Court is addressing this need through the K-9th Circuit Program. This program was developed to utilize dogs to provide comfort to children who must undergo forensic interviews and testify in court.
K-9th Circuit Teams, consisting of a dog and handler, are registered graduates of pet therapy or assistance dog organizations which have been approved by the Ninth Circuit Court. This is to ensure that they do not create a public danger, are suitable for use in a court setting, are well-behaved, and unobtrusive to the public. The Ninth Circuit currently has five volunteer teams who provide services to the children and the courts. These teams may also be used for adult victims of violent or sexual offenses, those with mental retardation and when the court may need to take a more therapeutic approach.
The use of dogs can help bring about a major change in how we meet the emotional needs of all involved in the criminal justice system. Their calming presence promotes justice with compassion.