Paraná Justice Forum 'Hires' Dog to Support Victims During Testimony
A Golden Retriever named Teddy is providing emotional support to victims of violence during court hearings at the State Justice Forum in Ponta Grossa, Paraná. The initiative aims to comfort and calm children, adolescents, and women as they recount traumatic experiences. Teddy visits the forum weekly and has even received a special badge identifying him as a 'judicial assistance dog' due to his regular schedule.
Judge Noeli Reback, director of the Ponta Grossa Forum and head of the Childhood and Youth Court, believes the dog humanizes the judicial process. She stated that Teddy helps victims feel more welcomed and less re-victimized, mitigating the stress and trauma associated with recounting crimes, particularly sexual and violent offenses. The dog's presence aims to bring lightness and ease to individuals giving testimony.
The idea was proposed by Teddy's owner, lawyer Renato Aparecido Borges. The one-year-old dog began his support work as a puppy. Borges shared an emotional instance where Teddy comforted a woman who had been assaulted, and whose own pet had been harmed by her abuser. Teddy's positive impact extends beyond courtrooms; he participates in special events, such as those involving children in the adoption system, and has become a popular figure among forum staff, offering comfort to everyone at the courthouse.
The integration of 'Teddy' the Golden Retriever into judicial proceedings in Ponta Grossa, Paraná, represents an innovative approach to addressing the psychological impact of trauma on vulnerable witnesses. This initiative highlights a growing recognition within justice systems of the need for non-traditional support mechanisms to facilitate more humane and effective testimony. By providing comfort, the program aims to reduce re-traumatization and potentially improve the quality of evidence gathered from victims. The success of such programs hinges on careful implementation, ensuring that the presence of an animal assistant complements, rather than distracts from, the legal process and the administration of justice. Future considerations might include standardizing training protocols for animal assistants and evaluating their long-term efficacy across diverse legal contexts and victim populations.
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