Oratory and public speaking are not easy for everybody, especially when it comes to evidence in the courtroom. In countries, where defendants have the right to confront their accusers, witnesses (especially young ones) are often under pressure. Ellen O’Neill Stephens and Celeste Wolsey, representatives of non-profit organization Court house dogs, believe that they have a solution: the dog in the courtroom can calm agitated witness.

The organization of Courthouse dogs was founded in 2004 and today has 87 dogs, working in 28 US states.

When a person has to testify in court and talk about traumatic events he had, he is under pressure and needs to calm down. Courthouse dogs help any vulnerable witnesses feel more comfortable, speaking about what happened.  These dogs help to reduce blood pressure and degree of concern.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50zHO8LpH68

Video Source: CaliforniaCourts