Helping criminal justice system users: utilising specially trained dogs

It has been shown that dogs can have numerous beneficial effects on individuals, for example, being able to alleviate stress (Aydin, et al., 2012). Countries such as USA, Portugal and Canada, have expanded such use of dogs and use specially trained courthouse dogs to accompany witnesses whilst testifying but also, for example, during medical examinations (Sandoval, 2012). Recently, in England and Wales, specially trained dogs have been introduced into the Criminal Justice System. However, there is currently no evidence evaluating such initiatives worldwide and most information on the effects a specially trained dog can have on individuals is anecdotal. The aim of this talk is to present current knowledge on using specially trained dogs within the Criminal Justice System. It is also to provide preliminary results from a selection of our studies exploring the use of specially trained dogs as viewed by the public and as viewed by court users who were offered this service. Preliminary results show benefits of using specially trained dogs within the Criminal Justice System when approached with care and when dog is appropriate/appropriately trained.