Dogged Justice

This episode covers detailed and graphic topics related to the sexual abuse cases that facility dogs have been involved with. Ellen O’Neill Stephens provides a deep dive into the groundbreaking case that David Crenshaw and Rosie discussed on our last episode. We also talk about the appellate court process, and other cases that have impacted the use of facility dogs throughout the United States. 

Episode Highlights 

1:30 - This episode covers detailed and graphic topics related to the sexual abuse cases that facility dogs have been involved with. 

2:30 - Ellen & Celeste become aware of David Crenshaw’s work 

4:45 - Circumstances of the first child David & Rosie worked with

6:30 - Touring the courthouse through the eyes of Rosie

7:30 - The trial process for the victim & guilty verdict 

8:40 - National news coverage of Courthouse Dogs 

10:45 - What an appellate court decision is and how it impacts facility dogs

15:40 - New York courts appellate decision in David & Rosie’s case 

17:00 - Recognizing that a dog being present is not prejudicial if a child talking about sexual assault is not disturbing

19:05 - This victims case sets precedent for many cases 

20:10 - Ellen shares her experience before the Supreme Court 

21:45 - Colleen shares how she feels when Arizona cases have included Russel & Blake

23:10 - Jim asks Ellen how David & Rosie’s case impacts other states' cases. 

26:45 - Adult accommodations with differing results in Michigan and Georgia 

29:00 - The facility dogs can do a lot, the victim testifying has the ability to choose

31:00 - How David continues to support Courthouse Dogs Foundation

32:00 - Colleen and other advocates use this information to do their jobs better

34:00 - How to get involved in bringing a facility dog to your courthouse

Links To References

Courthouse Dogs Appellate Case Law Decision

Dr David Crenshaw of the Children’s Home Of Poughkeepsie joins Colleen & Dr Jim for a lively discussion about the various ways his organization uses facility dogs. He shares how their facility dogs have used their problem solving skills to support, comfort, and a good laugh. Also, Jim provides a lot of insight into why problem solving is so important for the dogs chosen to serve. 

Episode Highlights 

1:37 - David shares how Dr Jim’s work has impacted his efforts

2:15 - Meet Dr David Crenshaw of the Children's Home Of Poughkeepsie 

4:40 - The specialized programs they offer

5:30 - Nuevas Alas serving immigrant children

6:45 - Safe Harbour program for youth sex trafficking victims

7:45 - Group Emergency Foster Care for siblings

9:00 - Navigating the campus of services

10:00 - David finds Courthouse Dogs Foundation

14:00 - Rosie from ECAD works with 2 children

17:00 - David’s observations of Rosie’s impact

20:15 - Jim reflects on the past 10 years of  adoption of facility dog programs

24:20 - The importance of problem solving skills in these dogs

28:10 - The current projects Jim is working on the science of play

30:00 - Rosie is reunited with Dale but continues to show up

31:00 - An example of the work Rosie did in court

34:15 - The transition of facility dogs

37:30 - Gentle soft touch to the dogs provides healing to the children

38:45 - Benefiting from establishing boundaries

41:00 - Teens working with Ace the labrador

44:30 - Our connection to the animals 

45:30 - Calming comfort through all areas of life

48:00 - Letter exchange with Ace

50:50 - Elvis the approachable one 

51:45 - Marshall working with the Safe Harbour program

53:15 - Facility dogs supporting all of those in this process

54:30 - Intuitive problem solving the dogs inherently have

55:00 - Hilarious problem solving example

58:00 - Knowing where the facility dogs will serve best 

1:01:30 - What a bark or howl is telling a handler

1:02:30 - Colleen shares how Russel was impacted by pain of a person

1:04:45 -  Rosie goes to college & Jim tells us how dogs sense their stress

Links To References

Children’s Home Of Poughkeepsie 

ECAD - Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities This episode is marked explicit due to the nature of some of the topics discussed. 

With ever changing environments at dispersed facilities Chile’s facility dogs face a unique set of challenges. Cecilia Marré Director of Bocalan Confair in Santiago, Chile’s programs join Jim & Colleen in this week's episode to highlight the way they’ve adapted the program to fit their community. Using a facility dogs natural instincts & positive reinforcement training she discusses the way they’ve made adjustments to their program to accommodate those they serve.  

Episode Highlights 

1:11 - Meet Cecilia Marré director of Boclan Confair in Santiago, Chile 

2:15 - Cecilia invites Courthouse Dogs Foundation to Chile

3:45 - Chile’s dispersed criminal justice system

6:00 - Adopting forensic interviews 

7:40 - The environments facility dogs & handlers navigate in Chile

11:05 - Jim explains what traits are sought after in these working dogs

14:15 - Paseta the labrador the first facility dog in Chile

18:45 - Trusting the facility dog to guide interactions

21:30 - Using facility and support dogs through the criminal justice process

24:00 - Sitting on the sidelines as a handler while court is taking place

25:30 - When the facility dogs are brought in for bonding sessions 

31:00 - The combination of animal assisted intervention & support 

35:15 - How Courthouse Dogs Foundation helped Cecilia integrate the program

37:45 - The importance of the facility dog’s support team 

40:30 - Inhibition in the dogs 

42:15 - Being able to laugh at the fun moments as well

45:00 - Professional training is creating success in the programs

46:00 - Building a relationship with the facility dog during training

50:00 - Using independence helps build trust & community 

53:20 - The problem solving that comes with a facility dog

56:00 - Handlers role as a guide vs controlling the situations

1:02:30 - The process of breeding and raising facility dogs in Chile

1:05:00 - Programs offered by Boclan Confair

1:08:00 - How the dogs interact with each other when they are at home

1:13:00 - Exposing the handlers to other animals 

Links To References

Assistance Dogs Of North America

Bocalan Confair 

Have you wondered what happens when a facility dog retires? Kim Gramlich of the Delta Police Victim Services in Delta British Columbia joins us to discuss the retirement of facility dog Caber. She also shares what it’s like bringing a new facility dog into the mix. As the first handler in Canada Kim is a wealth of knowledge on best practices getting started and managing a successful facility dog program.

Episode Highlights 

0:45 - Meet Kim Gramlich with the Delta Police Services in Delta British Columbia

3:38 - The NOVA conference leads to the discovery of facility dogs 

5:30 - Creation of a facility program in Canada 

6:30 - Kim meets her facility dog Caber in 2010 

8:05 - Signs a facility dog is close to retirement

10:50 - Changes in Caber that Kim observed

12:00 - Jim shares health issues that could impact the facility dog as well

14:30 - Colleen & Jim reflect on changes they’ve noticed as their dogs have aged

16:45 - Finding an internal champion to support the program

18:30 - Winston Sason helps proactively address concerns 

21:00 - Educating those that are still not familiar with the facility dogs in court

22:15 - How Canada’s testimonial accommodation supports those testifying during legislation

27:15 - The handlers role during testimonial accommodation

28:00 - Acclimating the dog to different standards internationally

30:30 - Caber & Puma’s personality differences 

33:40 - Colleen’s experiences with Russell & Blake 

36:15 - Reminding and reinforcing commands with Frannie

39:00 - The ways our learned behavior is managed

40:00 - How COVID  is impacting the training facility dogs have

41:50 - Kims experience retiring Caber and introducing Puma to work 

47:00 - Colleen & Kim’s emotional connection to their facility dogs

53:15 - Creating the best situation for the dog and handlers

56:00 - Highly trained professionals equipped to navigate the graphic aspects of the criminal justice system

59:10 - Support handlers receive while doing this work

1:01:30 - The resilience of the facility dogs vs your pet at home

1:03:00 - Studying the mental health of both the handlers and facility dogs 

1:04:45 - Facility dogs help those within an organization manage daily stress

1:06:30 - How these programs benefit all first responders  

1:07:50 - Cabers most impactful moment as a facility dog 

Links To References

National Association For Victims Assistance 

Pacific Assistance Dogs Foundation 

Justice Facility Dogs Canada

Our first international guest from Saskatchewan, Canada. Sergeant Tia Froh and Merlot serve in the Regina Police Service. She shares how she manages her life, and schedules with her facility dog while working as a police officer. Tia also shares with us what it’s like to live in Merlot’s world. You can follow along with Merlot on Instagram at padsk9merlot.

Episode Highlights 

1:00 - Meet Sgt Tia Froh & Merlot of the Regina Police Service in Saskatchewan Canada

2:30 - Many facility dogs serve throughout the justice process. 

3:20 - The “Point of First Contact Principal”

4:30 - Greeting those coming to the facility

5:30 - The facility that Tia and Merlot work in

8:00 - What the Canadian justice and legal system looks like

10:10 - Additional team members in the community

11:00 - How facility dogs get involved in the justice system

14:10 - Building confidence 

15:30 - Merlot the Accredited Justice Facility Dog

19:15 - Understanding working vs not working time for the facility dog

22:30 - Jim explains the mental strength facility dogs need to have

25:40 - Facility dogs behavioral changes during down time

31:20 - Managing Merlot’s schedule 

35:40 - Supporting officers in critical mission debriefs 

37:35 - Canada’s criminal code support person explained

39:300 - Support person roles in cases in Canada and the United States

44:0 - How the facility dogs know who to serve 

47:30 - The role of a handler to help prioritize the facility dogs attention

50:45 - Tia’s journey to becoming a handler 

56:00 - Adjustments to work and personal life after becoming a handler

1:00:30 - Recognizing the facility dogs help the handlers as well

1:04:45 - Settling into the environment as time goes on

1:06:30 - Covid scheduling changes

1:08:30 - Highlighting Merlot’s work on Social Media

1:10:00 - Educating & building community engagement with police officers 

Links To References

Merlo’s Instagram 

President of Courthouse Dogs Foundation, Carrie-Leigh Cloutier joins Colleen & Jim this week and shares how their 7 facility dogs have impacted her community. Training plays a big part in managing situations and environments that facility dogs and their handlers work in. This episode provides an insider's guide on how that takes place, and how you can be a part of creating a great environment for all to thrive and benefit from these working dogs in any community. 

Episode Highlights 

1:40 - Meet Carrie-Leigh Cloutier CEO of the Chaves County Courthouse Program in Roswell, New Mexico 

3:30 - Zia the CASA dog

4:30 - The transformation of a facility dog when putting their vest on

8:20 - Carrie-Leigh’s role with Courthouse Dogs Foundation 

11:00 - The 7 facility dogs in Roswell, New Mexico

14:30 - Chance meeting & quick adoption of the program

16:45 - Emma the labradors impact on the community

19:50 - Labradoodle Moose helps children during family visitations

21:05 - Cognitive therapy games with families and the facility dog

23:30 - Facility dog assists in "goodbye visits"

25:00 - The power of holding the dogs leash

29:30 - Why facility dogs & their handlers are best used during community trauma

34:00 - The added benefits to staff members working in proximity to facility dogs 

39:00 - Jim shares the science behind why dogs are sensitive to people's emotions

41:15 - A handlers part in letting the facility dog work 

42:00 - Lessons Carrie-Leigh has learned facilitating this program

45:45 - Creating a support system for handlers & facility dogs

51:15 - Establishing stable co-parenting environments 

53:45 - Controlling the facility dogs diet 

57:00 - Challenges with taking the facility dog into the world

1:00:00 - The presence of a facility dog providing support to children testifying 

1:02:00 - What donations to Courthouse Dogs Foundation support 

Links To References

Casa Kids - Roswell New Mexico

Assistance Dogs Of The West 

Executive Director of the Courthouse Dogs Foundation Celeste Walsen shares the impact and ongoing mission of the organization. This episode explores the complexity of raising and selecting facility dogs and why these roles aren’t for just any dog. Celeste also shares the value of this training, and some of the legal aspects of working facility dogs.

Episode Highlights

2:34 - Ellen's experience with raising service & guide dogs

4:05 - What’s the process like raising these dogs

5:15 - The transformation of placement 

6:50 - Service organizations guidelines

9:00 - How Ellen & Celeste met

11:00 - Advocating for increased use of facility dogs

12:30 - International impact 

14:00 - Helping facilities understand purpose bred dogs

16:00 - Why purpose breeding is important for working dogs

17:55 - The science behind selecting a dog that is biddable 

21:20 - Why some dogs aren’t suitable 

24:15 - Remembering the mission critical role these dogs play

26:00 - Genetics, Socialization, Training - The 3 keys to success

29:00 - Good temperament still may not make a reliable services dogs

31:00 - The value of accredited assistance dogs organizations

34:00 - Continuing the mission of the foundation 

36:30 - Legislative support for facility dogs 

38:25 - What we do & how you can help 

41:50 - Facility dogs, service dogs, therapy dogs...what are the differences

46:30 - Educating people on the work of Facility dogs

48:15 - Jim shares the shifting roles dogs play in our society 

50:05 - Training those working in a facility how to interact with the facility dog 

52:00 - Navigating a facility as a handler 

Definitions 

Biddable - A variety of factors that determine if an animal is trainable 

Career Change Dogs - The determination that a purpose bred dog would be better suited to serve in a program different than the one originally intended. 

Therapy Dog / Emotional Support Animal - A pet dog that has some training by its owner and has been registered as a dog & can visit public places. 

Service Dogs - Defined by federal law as a dog that is specifically trained as a dog to perform tasks to help one individual. 

Facility Dogs - Expertly trained dog partnered with a human to facilitate a specific outcome for those that the dog serves.  

Links To References

Canine Companions for Independence - https://www.cci.org/

Guide Dogs For The Blind - https://www.guidedogs.com/

Assistance Dogs International - https://assistancedogsinternational.org/

Colleen shares her winding path from volunteering to a Special Victims Advocate and Facility Dog Handler. She and Jim also dive deep into how the mind-body connection with yourself can positively impact your relationship with your facility dog. Also, Jim shares how he was connected to his “career changer” dog. 

Episode Highlights

1:00 - Colleen’s path to becoming a Special Victims Advocate

4:30 - Volunteering opens a different path 

5:30 - Transforming language to make an impact 

8:30 - Creating spaces to have trauma conversations

11:00 - Adverse Childhood Experiences

13:00 - Settling into Arizona 

14:00 - Creating a Mind Body Connection 

17:30 - The value of yoga & meditation for healing 

21:00 - Connecting these concepts into the criminal justice community

22:30 - How dogs are influencing these conversations

24:00 - Moving into full time advocacy & training future advocates

26:00 - Colleen is introduced to Facility Dogs

28:00 - Jim shares how he got his “career changer” dog

32:15 - Creating a partnership with a dog

35:00 - Blake’s impact in Colleen’s world 

 Links To References 

ACE’s- Adverse Childhood Experiences 

The Body Keeps Score - Bessel Vander Kolk

Assistance Dogs Of the West 

National Adoption Day Ceremony

Guardian ad Litem Program in in the Florida Keys (Monroe County)  To learn more about what they are doing to change the criminal justice system, go to courthousedogs.org.

Dr Jim Ha, co-host of Dogged Justice, has dedicated his life to the study of animal behavior. In this episode, he gives us a glimpse of his career and education. He also shares how he applied his knowledge and research to benefit the communities he serves including the Courthouse Dogs Foundation. 

Episode Highlights

1:00 - Jim’s father inspires him early 

3:00 - Education & early career

5:00 - Field PHD Research. 

7:30 - Postdoctoral Research 

10:30 - Shifting from cognitive to behavioral studies 

15:45 - Helping apply animal behavior in homes

18:30 - How Animal Behavior Associates of Washington came to be

23:30 -  What Jim hopes to share on this podcast

24:00 - Resources Jim has created

27:00 - Courthouse Dogs Foundation 

31:30 - The special relationship between humans and dogs

36:00 - How science plays a part in understanding the benefits of dogs

Links To References

University of Washington Certificate in Applied Animal Behavior

Dog Behavior - Modern Science & Our Canine Companions

Dr Jim's Credentials

Millersville University, BA Biology, 1980

Wake Forest University, MA Biology, 1983

Colorado State University, PhD Zoology, 1989

Research Professor, University of Washington, 1992-present 

Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, 2004-present 

Owner, Animal Behavior Associates of Washington education and consulting 

Owner, DrJimHa.com education and consulting

Connect with Jim or learn more about his work on his website at drjimha.com. 

To learn more about what they are doing to change the criminal justice system, go to courthousedogs.org.

Our interview with Ellen continues as she shares how Jeeter, Ellie, and Molly cleared the path for the facility dogs serving in courthouses today. Colleen and Jim reflect on how they became involved with the organization as well. Ellen concludes by sharing how Courthouse Dogs Foundation promotes and facilitates the use of dogs in the justice system and what you can do to support the mission.

Show Notes

0:45 - Jeeter makes an impact with Chelsea 

6:20 - Assisting sexual assault victims & prosecutors in criminal court 

12:00 - Convincing prosecutors, judges and training organizations 

14:45 - Ellen spreads the word in 2004 after the first dog is placed in King County

16:30 - Celeste recruits Ellen to join her alongside the endeavor 

17:15 - Courthouse Dogs Foundation is born 

18:10 - What the program looks like today

21:15 - Colleen reflects on being introduced to facility dogs

24:00 - Ellie the first dog in King County

25:30 - Jim is convinced after meeting Molly 

30:35 - How Courthouse Dogs Foundation support dogs & those they serve

32:30 - Partnering with various organizations & courthouses to meet demand

Links To Resources

Canine Companions for Independence

To learn more about what they are doing to change the criminal justice system, go to courthousedogs.org.