Therapy Dogs Help Comfort Victims of Crime

A group of local therapy dogs are making a big difference in one of the most stressful places, the courtroom. 

The Paws for Love organization is helping victims of crime. 

Therapy dogs and their owners have been on the job since October at the courthouse and the Children Advocate Center in Reno.  

The Washoe County District Attorney's Office brings in the dogs to help empower victims of violent crimes, sexual offenses and crimes against children. 

Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks said, "We had a case that was a sexual assault against a very young girl. Prior to her testimony as she was sitting on the bench, outside waiting to go into the courtroom, we had a therapy dog with her."

That dog was a pitbull named Stella. She curled up on the little girl's lap and put her at ease before she had to go up on the stand. 

"She went into court and did fantastic. And we were able to convict what is a very horrible human being," said Hicks. 

Prosecutors say sometimes making a case depends on the bravery of the victims.

Hicks adds, "Any program we can use to help them through the process, help them maintain that courage, which these dogs do, is a win."

For therapy dogs like Ranger, his job is to simply be there for victims. He places his head in their laps, allows them to pet his ears, and provides comfort to make the experience a little more bearable.

"He knows if he should lean against them, he knows if he should just be calm. He also knows maybe sometimes when they don't want the attention as well. So it takes an intuitive dog," said Ranger's owner, Lisa Cook, with Paws for Love.

The typical workday for these dogs vary, but could include sitting in on intake interviews, attending counseling sessions, or comforting victims before or after court hearings.

"I know what's happening when those kids come out, they need these dogs," said Darlene Frano, the coordinator of Justice Dog Program with Paws for Love.

Paws for Love helps many child victims, but other witnesses of crime confide in the dogs too. 

Frano adds, "They'll tell dogs things that they won't tell anybody else."

So far Paws for Love has helped with 10 court cases and multiple visitations. They just started this new program, but by next year, the organization hopes to get their dogs on the witness stand next to victims testifying.