New Florida Legislation Allows Therapy Dogs in Court

by Emily Hutchinson

Published: July 11th, 2017

new florida legislation allows therapy dogs in court

The justice system is changing around the US, and Florida is the latest state allowing therapy dogs in court to help the vulnerable testify.

Any pet owner will know that life is better with an animal by your side. Feeling nervous about your exam results? Stroke the cat and you’ll feel much better. Wedding Day jitters? Just hug the dog and it’ll all feel like a breeze. If you’ve ever been to court, you’ll know that the whole process can be pretty daunting. For younger people and children it can be totally overwhelming. But now the experience could be a lot less stressful due to a new law being passed in Florida allowing therapy dogs into court rooms.

The system is already helping people

The first court to embrace the Paws in Court program was Miami-Dade Children’s Court. One girl who has found reassurance through the program is Jenette Alen. A 19 year old who had to go before a judge to assess whether she had worked sufficiently hard at her drug rehabilitation program to be allowed to graduate from drug court.

Jenette took a friend with her for support, but her nerves were running high. However, on arrival, she was introduced to Ginger. Ginger is a gorgeous Labrador cross. She’s a therapy dog and she’s very friendly! She wears a vest that reads “Please pet me”. Well how could anyone resist that? Jenette and her friend certainly couldn’t!

Ginger was a great distraction from the nerves. It was much better for the girls to spend their time rubbing Ginger’s tubby than dwelling on the upcoming court hearing. Jenette felt less scared about the whole process simply because Ginger was there. Such a simple thing, but it made all the world to Jenette.

The new law

Previously, therapy dogs were only allowed into certain sexual offense trials in a selection of courts across Florida. But since July 1, they are allowed into any court in the state for any proceedings that are to do with child neglect, abandonment or abuse.

The dogs are highly trained, not for a particular job, but just to be well-behaved, friendly and affectionate. This of course comes naturally to most dogs, they love to be spoilt and cuddled!

Some judges had their misgivings about the the program. Well, you can understand that, a court isn’t the place for barking, but they soon changed their tune when they discovered how well behaved these dogs are actually are.

The training process

Training dogs to attend court as therapy dogs is a long process. They learn to obey commands and to be obedient and friendly. Before they are given their certificate that allows them into courtrooms, they will have visited a minimum of 50 places as a therapy dog, places where they will be well received such as nursing homes, schools and hospitals. Of course it’s not just the dogs that need training. Dedicated volunteers also undergo a vigorous training regime in order to become therapy dog handlers.

The dogs are even helping the cases

The dogs give reassurance to children in court and we’re seeing kids being able to open up and speak out because they have the comfort of a dog by their side. Children are seen to pay more and more attention to the dogs, the more difficult the court experience gets for them. In highly stressful scenarios, such as children having to give evidence in an abuse case, the dogs can help them to find their voice and to speak up against their abuser. The therapy dogs help them to fight their fear.

This may well be the way forward

In Florida, the program is already looking like a huge success. Hopefully when word gets around about the amazing job these therapy dogs are doing, other states will follow suit. Surely every building is better with a dog in it and courts should be no exception! Oh and for anyone wondering how Jenette Alen got on, she was allowed to graduate from her drug program. The perfect ending to the story.

[Source: Miami Herald]

Emily Hutchinson

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With an estimated 3.1 million dogs entering U.S. animal shelters every year, the need for funding and support is evident. For many, this is a call to action to find ways to make a difference – including for Guardians of the Galaxy actor Dave Bautista. Starting today, November 28th, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) is launching a new fundraising and awareness campaign with 54 Bautista and his four rescue pit bulls in the spotlight. The campaign was created as part of Giving Tuesday, a global response to the corporate focus of Black Friday (as well as Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday). Rather than highlighting sales and taking advantage of deals through your favorite stores and brands, Giving Tuesday encourages Americans to take a moment and consider how they can make a difference in the lives of others – including, of course, animals in shelters and rescue organizations. Bautista’s involvement in the campaign is motivated by his experiences with animal rescue and its impact on his life. “My home is where my dogs are because there is just such a sense of love,” Bautista stated. “I feel like wherever they are, there’s this sense of normalcy, which is hard for me to attain these days.” He went on to explain, “My first rescue dogs were Ollie and Maggie, and I’ve had them for about five years. I adopted them, and after becoming so connected with them, I started to be more aware of how many dogs are just waiting for someone to give them good, loving homes. You get so much in return when you adopt a pet, and I’m going to preach adoption for the rest of my life.”

Is Peanut Butter Safe for Dogs?

Ah, peanut butter –who doesn’t love a smear of this sticky butter on their toast? Whether you top it with bananas or jelly or something else altogether, spread on bread, mix in oatmeal, or add to smoothies, you likely enjoy the nutty goodness of peanut butter at least a few times a week. But can you share PB with your dog? While this tasty spread is generally safe for dogs as they have no issue eating peanuts in the form of butter, it’s the other ingredients that may be in the PB you’re eating that could harm them. This is what you should know before giving your pet peanut butter – whether as an ingredient of something else or on its own.Is Peanut Butter Safe for Dogs? To give you a short and straightforward answer, yes, peanut butter is safe for dogs when it’s made only out of peanuts as the single ingredient. However, that’s not always the case with commercially made peanut butter. To tweak its consistency, shelf life, or even modify its flavor, companies can add a variety of different ingredients to their peanut butter products, so it’s crucial to read the label before giving your pet even just a lick of peanut butter – and it wouldn't hurt to do so before eating it yourself, either. The most dangerous ingredient (for dogs) that could be added to peanut butter is  xylitol, or birch sugar, as it is sometimes labeled. This sweetener is highly toxic to dogs as even small amounts of xylitol can cause a rapid release of insulin, leading to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), seizures, and liver failure in dogs.Another thing that could be problematic about peanut butter for dogs is not a matter of a sneaky ingredient but the fact that it’s a high-fat food. If not given in moderation, peanut butter can largely contribute to obesity in dogs, and in turn, promote health issues such as  pancreatitis at worst and upset tummy at best. It is also important to note that some dogs may be allergic to peanuts, the same as is the case with us humans. If you are giving your pet peanut butter for the first time, monitor them for signs of allergic reactions, such as itching, redness, swelling, or gastrointestinal upset, and consult your veterinarian if concerns arise.Benefits of Peanut Butter for Dogs and How To Incorporate It In Your Dog’s DietIn addition to being yummy, peanut butter is also beneficial for dogs. It might be high in fat, but it is predominantly unsaturated fats, including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which support skin and coat health, joint function, and immune system function in dogs. It is also a rich source of plant-based protein and will support your pet's overall health when given in moderation. So how do you ensure you don’t overdo it with PB and that your pet reap only the benefits of this nutty spread? While an excellent reward to utilize when training with positive reinforcement methods, peanut butter should be given sparingly rather than every time your pooch does a good job. Use a small amount – a teaspoon will work well for the job. Alternatively, if your pet loves the taste of peanut butter but you’re trying to maintain their weight, opting for peanut butter-flavored treats is a perfect compromise. My dogs prefer crunchy treats and are big PB fans, so one of their favorites is  American Journey Peanut Butter Recipe Grain-Free Oven Baked Crunchy Biscuit Dog Treats.

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