Assistance dog trained to help witnesses, victims in Stanislaus County court [Modesto Bee]

The woman, a victim of an assault, sat in the courtroom’s witness chair and started to talk. As she told a judge what happened and how it affected her – giving what’s called a victim impact statement – the woman started to cry.

Quietly, the tawny-colored dog next to her placed its head on the woman’s lap. Honor is a trained assistance dog, and it seems like she can sense when someone needs her help.

That is this dog’s job, to help people get through a criminal justice process that can be incredibly stressful at times. “She should just be a silent force,” said Deputy District Attorney Merrill Hoult, Honor’s handler.

Honor has been helping witnesses and victims at the courthouse for about a month. The highly trained dog has been placed with the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office to assist people in court, along with offering emotional support when victims are questioned about suspected sexual abuse or domestic violence.