The First Judicial Circuit is proud to celebrate National Therapy Animal Day on April 30, 2025, honoring the incredible impact therapy dogs have on the community – especially in the courthouse. Charlie is a certified therapy dog assigned to Jackson County and Mr. Baker is assigned to Williamson County.
Therapy dogs play a unique and vital role in our judicial process. These specially trained animals help reduce stress and anxiety in high-pressure environments such as family court, juvenile court and drug court, where emotions can run high and the need for compassion is critical.
Benefits of Court Therapy Dogs:
- Emotional Comfort: Children and vulnerable individuals often feel more secure when interacting with a calm friendly dog.
- Improved Communication: A therapy dog’s presence can help clients, especially youth, open up more easily during interviews and hearings
- Stress Reduction: For individuals struggling with substance abuse or trauma, the presence of a therapy dog can lower blood pressure and help them feel supported.
- A calming Presence for All: Even court staff and legal professionals find their days improved by a few minutes with a therapy dog.
Therapy animal day is not just about recognizing our canine companions - it’s about honoring the compassion they bring to justice.
The First Judicial Circuit Court Therapy Dog Program, Williamson and Jackson Counties, is funded in part by Access to Justice Improvement Grant funds through the Access to Justice Division, Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts. Find more information here.