Crisis Canines conducts courtroom training at Jasper County Courthouse

Crisis Canines may not be capable of giving testimonies at Jasper County court hearings, but they may be able to assist those who can.

Nicholas Pietrack, assistant county attorney, formally requested permission last week to use the Jasper County Courthouse outside normal business hours to conduct training sessions with Crisis Canines of the Midlands, and thereby enhancing support for victims and witnesses in courtroom settings.

“Historically, there’s been some precedent where Crisis Canines like this can be used in the courtroom for victim testimonies — especially juveniles — during trials, hearings, etc.,” Pietrack said. “We’ve not done it in Jasper County, to date. Part of that is just logistics. We haven’t been able to practice it.”

Also, in each case, the use of the canine in the courtroom would need court approval. Pietrack said the Jasper County Attorney’s Office has not had a recent case where it felt it needed a Crisis Canine. The training — which took place last weekend for about four hours — was for three to five Jasper County-based dogs.

“Sometimes the dog would be at the person’s feet testifying, usually a child or a victim, or just sometimes be in the courtroom so they can kind of maintain contact and be with the dog before and after testifying — things like that,” Pietrack said. “To date, we’ve used these dogs in our depositions before trial.”

From what Pietrack has seen, the Crisis Canines have been tremendously beneficial and have worked as a good ice breaker for when attorneys have to meet with a child victim. The dog makes them feel at ease. Pietrack said multiple victims have told him that as long as the dog will be there they feel OK.

According to the letter drafted by Pietrack to the board of supervisors, the Crisis Canines help alleviate anxiety and provide comfort to those recounting traumatic experiences. Pietrack argued that allowing the training would strengthen the office’s ability to support vulnerable individuals during these difficult moments.

Pietrack told supervisors at their March 11 meeting that the Iowa Attorney General’s Office would also be part of the training to learn how to best implement the practice throughout the state. Jasper County, he suggested, is becoming one of the frontrunners in how to work with and implement Crisis Canines.

Supervisor Brandon Talsma was on board with the training so long as it was OK with Maintenance Director Adam Sparks. County Auditor Jenna Jennings said she had spoken with him about it and he was favorable to the idea.