Assistant Jasper County Attorney Nicholas Pietrack says three to five locally based dogs from Crisis Canines of the Midlands will be in the Jasper County Courthouse courtrooms Saturday afternoon for training to prepare them to offer comfort to crime victims who are testifying, especially juveniles.
“We have not done it in Jasper County to date. Part of that is logistics. We have not been able to practice it to figure out how it would actually function and how to do it in our courtrooms. Also, in each case where a canine would be used in a courtroom, there needs to be court approval. Knock on wood, we haven’t had a case where we felt we needed it so far.”
Peitrack says the Jasper County Attorney’s office has successfully used the crisis canines to assist victims during depositions before trial, and in meetings with victims and witnesses.
“ Multiple times they have been tremendously beneficial. They have really been a great ice-breaker when we meet with a child victim, and have really made them feel at ease. I have had multiple victims in my meetings say “as long as the dog is going to be there, it will be ok”. That type of thing”
The Assistant Jasper County Attorney says he’ll be at the courthouse Saturday afternoon from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. for the training, along with a representative from the Attorney General’s Office. According to Pietrack, the Attorney General’s Office is looking to learn how to do this across the state.
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