Recently, Moritz received an extraordinary letter. It's
from Joyce, a woman who is starting to use Berners to
help children testify in courtrooms. The presence of a
friendly, familiar dog can help alleviate the child's
nervousness and let them feel safe.
Moritz and Barry were so taken with the idea that they
got involved and went to court to help testify, and then
decided to write about their experience here.
INTRODUCTION: A LETTER FROM
JOYCE
Hi Barry,
I am inspired - I was just looking up the Delta
Society's website re: therapy dogs & training
they needed, etc. and found a link about you,
your BMD & book. I'm attaching a picture of my
Maggie & Chester. I have my MS in Counseling,
currently work with our prosecutor's office and
victims & witnesses of felony crimes before and
during prosecution. Of course some of my victims
& witnesses are children...some of whom have not
seen their offender since the event-that is
until court and are facing seeing them when they
testify.
I am interested in getting a pup BMD to bring to
work with me to get used to the environment and
when old enough become certified and "hopefully"
(if the judges allow) may accompany these
children up to the stand to testify. No human is
allowed to accompany a child to the stand,
however, I've heard there is at least one
jurisdiction in the States that allow a therapy
dog to accompany children. We would introduce
the therapy dog to the child as soon as we begin
preparing for the case, so the child would have
some interaction and feel "safe".
I would like to stay in touch (moral support??)
as I approach this project and knowing you are a
Berner person - that's special.
Joyce
Director, Victim Witness Assistance Unit
State Attorney Office |
CHAPTER ONE
We were invited to the home of a teenage girl who will
testify in court about being molested. If she and her
family agreed, Moritz would be able to accompany her to
the stand for the trial on February 4th.
The scene was pure chaos: two babies crying, dogs
barking in the backyard, three children sitting on the
couch watching TV, toys all over... a tense and
uncertain situation. I sat on the couch next to a
sensitive adolescent. Moritz lay down next to me with
his hind end on her feet. He was unmoving, quiet, with
his head between his paws.
Kids came and patted, poked and pulled him.
He remained still, and after 30 minutes we left.
As always, Moritz did nothing special.........
The young girl agreed to allow Moritz to accompany her
on the stand, and the family supported her decision.
At our next meeting, I asked the girl how she felt about
Moritz.
She replied, "He is so soothing."
The trial has been postponed until April.
CHAPTER TWO
Today after many delays and rescheduling Moritz went to
court to accompany a molested child to the stand.
We arrived at 11:30 AM to the District Court and
proceeded to the waiting room outside the courtroom.
Only a few people noticed Moritz entering the building
or riding the elevator to the third floor. He was his
usual curious calm self, no fear, and no excitement, a
bit playful and present. He is a seasoned traveler,
restaurants in Europe, hospitals, busses, boats, trains,
airplanes, taxis, doctors offices, even theaters, he
just troops in as any family member and lays down to
await direction. It's as natural as can be.
The elevator doors open and there is a small crowd; all
relatives and friends of the girl. We sit down and one
by one people come to Moritz. The procession is quiet,
until they pet him and then giggles, gasps and
conversation erupts. Everyone has a dog story, and the
usual questions of what kind of dog is he, how much does
he eat, how old is he...begin.
Moritz has broken the tension in the room. A bit of
relaxation, a few exhalations and the waiting and
worrying is momentarily lifted. Everyone seems to come
together.
Moritz lies quietly and endures the affection. Mary
(fictitious name of the abused) sees Moritz and comes
over and gives him a hug. She is neatly dressed and
looks pretty. She seems prepared to speak her truth.
The jury is being selected and around 12:30 everyone is
dismissed for lunch and asked to return at 1:30. We go
to lunch with my friend Bea, a talented, caring
psychologist who has a gift for clearly communicating,
often with humor.
We return to learn the jury still is not selected and
are asked to wait on the second floor so the prospective
jurors will not see Moritz. I am told the judge and both
sets of attorneys know Moritz but the alleged
perpetrator's attorneys do not want Moritz in the
courtroom. The reason they give--- he may be a
distraction. It is finally decided if Mary asks for
Moritz to accompany her so she can tell her story, it
may be OK.
We wait on the second floor. As we sit, attorneys,
policemen and policewomen come over. A policeman cannot
contain himself and says "What a good dog!". The social
worker on the case looks at Moritz and goes to her knees
to play with him. She understands how helpful he could
be and is doing her best to get him in the courtroom.
Moritz lies quietly. People in the courthouse appear to
have a lot on their minds. They rush out of the elevator
to their destination, in a swirl of purpose... many,
after 3-4 steps, see Moritz and their surprise snaps
them back to the present.... and then they come over and
say something to him. It is such a human reaction in
such a tense and contentious environment.
At last at 3 PM the trial will begin. Mary will be the
opening witness. We are to wait until being called. We
are not allowed to go into the courtroom, even to sit
and watch. While waiting a county attorney comes over to
pet Moritz. The two of them immediately connect and she
begins a story of her dogs. She knows Moritz,
understands he is a therapy dog and approves of having
him help children witnesses in the courtroom. She hopes
we succeed and I mention if we do not this time, we will
happily come back for another case. Please feel free to
call us.
At 4:45 Bea comes to tell us the case is closed for the
day and will resume tomorrow morning. Mary will again be
on the stand. Moritz was not called, he was not needed.
However, he has had quite an impact, as there is a buzz
about how well behaved and gentle he is. Perhaps he did
not reach the stand this time, but he was appreciated
and opened some minds.
On the way out Bea took us to see Mary, who looked at
him and with a sigh of relief, hugged him.
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