Canines In Court

"In the past few decades, the United States has seen an increase in the number of court cases involving child witnesses. Involvement in the legal system can be difficult for a child and they are often victims of the crimes which have brought them to court. Often, a child's testimony can be crucial to prosecution, and so courts have sought ways to support children on the witness stand. Canine-assisted therapy is one possible avenue of support. Having a support animal can make a stressful situation more manageable, and the presence of a dog at the witness stand can help children express themselves in a calm way and in a supportive environment. Although canine-assisted therapy is a relatively young science, its benefits are well researched and recognized. The purpose of this paper is to research the status of canine-assisted therapy with respect to children in a courtroom environment. A literature review was conducted to assess available literature associated with the benefits of canine-assisted therapy and its impact on children. The primary research section of the paper reviews laws and statutes in the United States concerning the use of canines as support in the courtroom, and assesses the perception of the court towards support dogs for minors, using cases where the use of support dogs was contested. " -- From page 1.