LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — A Las Vegas nonprofit is training dogs to help trauma survivors navigate the court process, and demand for its services is growing.
Courtroom Critters was founded three years ago by Stephani Loffredo. The organization trains certified support dogs to comfort victims of traumatic crime, veterans, and participants in specialty courts, including DUI and drug courts.
“Our mission is working with victims of traumatic crime,” Loffredo said. “And we’ve expanded a lot. We’re now working in the courts helping people with severe anxiety.”
Training and current capacity
The nonprofit currently has 50 therapy dogs and 10 certified courtroom canines. Dogs complete a multi-tiered training process.
“We prefer that our dogs start out with the American Kennel Club training called Canine Good Citizen,” Loffredo said. “Then we go through a therapy dog training, which some dogs can complete in six weeks.”
Judges weigh in
Judge Nadia Krall of Nevada’s Eighth Judicial District Court said the dogs can make a difference for people facing stressful court appearances.
“We want to make sure that they’re as comfortable as possible during this process in any way that we can help them and make them feel welcome and supported,” judge Krall said. “As soon as they see the dogs, they get this big smile on their face, and it just relaxes them. It makes them feel more comfortable with the whole situation.”
Legal landscape and expansion
Nevada does not have specific state laws allowing trained dogs in courtrooms to help witnesses, but that could change as demand for the program continues to grow.
“Once the judges accept it and they actually see the value and they see the smiles and especially the decrease in anxiety, when anyone sees this, it’s like a domino effect,” Loffredo said.
The organization is also working to add a provision to the Victims Bill of Rights that would allow a dog to accompany victims to court. All funding for the nonprofit comes from private donations. Courtroom Critters is currently recruiting dogs and volunteers for the program.
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