Sitting
two rows back in the courtroom, an astute visitor during the recent testimony
of an abused little boy might have caught sight of the tips of two furry, white
ears poking over the top railing of the witness box.
And
maybe once in a while that little boy's hand may have snaked down to stroke the
big head between those two ears belonging to Woolf, a silent, watchful fellow
there to help the 6yr old get through the recitation of the sex acts to
which he was subjected.

His
reputation for quiet support is what prompted a Lake prosecutor to ask Missy
whether Woolf might help in the case where two boys, ages 6 and 7, were to
testify against their father. The younger child ended up testifying with Woolf
from an empty courtroom by Skype and the older one had the dog at his feet
while he told his story.
That
was the point where she decided to create Companions for Courage,
a nonprofit organization designed to prevent children from having to face the
anxiety of court testimony alone. Missy is looking for other dogs that might
help Woolf with the chores. They would have to be very quiet, willing to lay still
in a witness box and not cause any distraction in court. No dogs on laps.
Lake
Circuit Judge Bill Law, who allowed Woolf to help in the abuse case, said he
has seen dogs in the courtroom a few times and is willing to allow them access
in the future.
"It's a bit of new thinking," Law said. "Obviously, the dog can't tell somebody
how to testify and doesn't have an effect on truthfulness, but it has a calming
effect."
Source: Orlando Sentinel
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