Page Ulrey–a senior deputy prosecuting attorney in Seattle’s King County–discusses the genesis of courthouse dogs, which are used to make children and others more comfortable when testifying or being interviewed about sexual assaults or other emotionally upsetting crimes: Based on experience with her son’s service dog, a colleague thought service dogs could provide comfort to children and others who are victims or witnesses of crimes, and this dovetailed with a period when Ulrey was ready to add a dog to her life.
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Ulrey recalls applying to Canine Companions For Independence, going to the CCI center for training, being paired with her Labrador retriever mix, Ellie (noting she didn’t initially feel she was a good fit with Ellie), and how she quickly fell in love with her. Subsequently, the use of courthouse dogs has been embraced in various parts of the country. Ulrey also recounts facets of the training, including unusual challenges, and what constitutes the ideal temperament for a courthouse dog. Outlining the sort of work Ellie does, Ulrey cites a specific example of a case that she helped on. She explains some legal challenges that have been raised in New York and Washington about the use of courthouse dogs, and how while those appeals are pending, Ellie continues to be brought in to assist on interviews, but is not involved in working in the courtroom.
COMEDY CORNER: Ellen DeGeneres’ “Cat in Heat” (www.EllenTV.com)
MUSIC: Neko Case’s “Maybe Sparrow,” Other Lives’ “Tamer Animals,” Yo-Yo Ma, Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer & Chris Thile’s “Goat Rodeo,” instrumentals
NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: Joni Mitchell’s “Black Crow”
