FROM AMY CAPPS, SERVICE DOGS OF ALABAMA
Judge Pinkston, who is the presiding Juvenile Judge in Elmore County, received a partner to help with his really tough cases. Charlie, the trained Facility Dog from Service Dogs Alabama, was awarded to Judge Pinkston thanks to funding from Elmore County Community Foundation, Daniel Foundation of Alabama, and International Paper.
Charlie lives with Judge Pinkston and has a continuous presence in his chambers and courtroom as well as being available to Elmore County Department of Human Resources (next door) for forensic interviews and trauma intervention. He is the constant for children and adults who are experiencing some of the most distressing events of their lives. Charlie may not be able to change the situation, but he is able to impact the effects that the situation has on its victims.
Charlie is trained to minimize trauma.
He is trained to find the person experiencing stress and provide intervention techniques to reduce the negative effects. He can work on or off leash, both taking instruction from his handler or working independently to identify the person needing help. Intervention may include resting his head in someone’s lap or providing compression by leaning his body against someone or placing his upper body across someone’s lap.
“I envision Charlie making a huge difference in the lives of the children who come through my courtroom as well as in the lives of my staff who work with trauma victims,” said Judge Pinkston. “I can already see my staff relaxing in Charlie’s presence as their training as secondary handlers commences.”
Covid-19 has cleared the docket for most court cases, but Judge Pinkston tells us that he anticipates a difference in outcomes once his cases resume. “I plan to take a polaroid photo of each child with Charlie to take home. When they have to come back to court hearings, they will also be coming back to see Charlie.”
