Lynn and Dory

FACILITY DOG TEAM: Teamed Fall 2008

by Lynn Chavez As with all of Paws’itive Teams’ Facility Dog placements, Dory has a particularly important job, one that suits her loving personality perfectly. Dory and I work with children and/or mentally disabled adults who have been victims of assault. Dory provides comfort and emotional support to these very fragile victims and also to their families. I work for the San Diego Police Department, and for the last 17 years I have been assigned as a Liaison to the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office. While Dory was still in training we were able to work with many children and assist them through the prosecutorial process. Dory has used her unique personality with these special children and adults not only during their interviews with law enforcement, but also by accompanying them to court and curling up at their feet while they testify. As you can imagine, testifying in court can be a frightening experience, and when it is time for Dory’s new friends to testify she helps distract them from the stresses and pressures that they are facing. For most of them, this will be the first time that they have seen their assailant since they disclosed the assault. They now have to get up in front of a room full of strangers and recount the details. Dory and I remain with them throughout this process. Sometimes there are numerous court appearances over many days or weeks. Knowing that Dory will be there for them provides a bit of enjoyment and happiness during this stressful time. Sarah (15 years old when she first met Dory, prior to her first court appearance) had this to say about her experience: “Dory was a wonderful comfort and distraction during a very difficult time in my life. It was so nice that she met me at the doorway of the courthouse and walked with me to the courtroom. This allowed me to feel less intimidated by the entire process. I really enjoyed her comfort and companionship”. Since I have been using Dory to assist these victims, I have seen children who were shy and uncommunicative become outgoing, confident and outspoken. Some, who were afraid of testifying, actually started looking forward to going to court, as they knew that Dory would be there for them. One of Dory’s new friends sleeps with a photo of Dory under her pillow, and gives the picture a kiss goodnight before she goes to sleep. Using Dory in this manner has enabled and empowered many victims to disclose their assaults and to testify effectively against their assailants. This ultimately helps law enforcement and prosecutors in the fact-finding process, resulting in numerous successful prosecutions and convictions. In fact, some defendants have pled guilty after seeing how well their victims were able to testify when they had Dory by their side! I look forward to many years of partnership with Dory and Paws’itive Teams. Thank you Paws’itive Teams for giving me this wonderful opportunity!!