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http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/meet-the-courtroom-dogs-who-help-child-crime-victims-tell-their-stories/
The PBS news hours yesterday had the coolest story about how kids like many of us were are not only testifying in court against their perpetrators, but doing so with the comfort of courtroom dogs. It's often hard to see progress in justice for survivors like us, so I thought I'd pass this little bit along. I wish these kids hadn't been abused in the first place and that there was no need for them to appear in court to point out who abused them. But if they are there, I'm so glad for these kids, anyway, it's better than it used to be back in my day. The story mentioned PTSD from
2 of the 3 trauma categories I survived, sexual assault and combat
PTSD. I've gotta meet one of these pooches!
From the story:
Child Crime Victims & Courtroom Dogs
"D.J. ROSS, Child Advocate, San Bernardino County:
I had a rape case for a child that was raped from
the time he was 4 to 10, and was all alone and
couldnt tell anybody. It was very difficult for
him to have to describe what he went through.
The young victim was really nervous, really stressed.
And Lupe, our dog, picked up on it, and went up to him
and nudged the young victim on the leg. The young
victim started to pet the dog, rubbing his ears, and
Lupe is on him. And he was able to relax, didnt have
the anxiety, and he was able to tell what happened to him.
And a labradoodle named Zeus is headed to veterans court in
Albuquerque to work with vets with combat injuries."
The PBS news hours yesterday had the coolest story about how kids like many of us were are not only testifying in court against their perpetrators, but doing so with the comfort of courtroom dogs. It's often hard to see progress in justice for survivors like us, so I thought I'd pass this little bit along. I wish these kids hadn't been abused in the first place and that there was no need for them to appear in court to point out who abused them. But if they are there, I'm so glad for these kids, anyway, it's better than it used to be back in my day. The story mentioned PTSD from
2 of the 3 trauma categories I survived, sexual assault and combat
PTSD. I've gotta meet one of these pooches!
From the story:
Child Crime Victims & Courtroom Dogs
"D.J. ROSS, Child Advocate, San Bernardino County:
I had a rape case for a child that was raped from
the time he was 4 to 10, and was all alone and
couldnt tell anybody. It was very difficult for
him to have to describe what he went through.
The young victim was really nervous, really stressed.
And Lupe, our dog, picked up on it, and went up to him
and nudged the young victim on the leg. The young
victim started to pet the dog, rubbing his ears, and
Lupe is on him. And he was able to relax, didnt have
the anxiety, and he was able to tell what happened to him.
And a labradoodle named Zeus is headed to veterans court in
Albuquerque to work with vets with combat injuries."
Thanks for a great positive read tonight.
His dog has done so well that one of the local courts is considering allowing a support dog during child testimonies.