Merel is the first Ontario service dog to help kids testify in court

London's Child Witness Program is turning to man's best friend to help children deal with the fear and stress of testifying in court.

Merel is a specially-trained therapy dog, also called a facility dog, from National Service Dogs in Cambridge, Ont. She is a cross between a black Lab and a Bernese mountain dog, and can be found sleeping on a big dog bed when she's not working with children.  

When her services are needed, Merel will sit with a child witness, put her head on their lap, lie down with a child sitting on the floor, whatever she's needed to do.  All her handler has to do is issue a command such as, "Merel, visit!" and the highly-trained canine will quietly get up and go to the person in need of help.

Kingston, Ont. police have a dog named Vern who helps victims of crime but Merel is the first facility dog to work in court in Ontario. The dog joined the Child Witness Program at the London Family Court Clinic in October.  

Preparing for court

Rachel Crawford is the program co-ordinator and Merel's principal handler. She said children in court have often experienced significant trauma, such as sexual assault or robbery, and testifying against an accused person can be almost as terrifying as the trauma they've suffered. 

"A lot of kids come to court feeling like it's all on their shoulders. At the Child Witness Program we're never in a position where we're discussing evidence or anything that they would be talking to the court about. We talk a lot about the fact that it's just their job to tell the truth. It's the only thing that they're responsible for," Crawford said.

Crawford has been helping children prepare for court for three years, by touring them through the courthouse, doing a mock swearing in, and explaining who will be in the courtroom. But, she says, her job has completely changed with Merel in the room.

"She's just a very calming presence. She doesn't move quickly, she doesn't make any noise.  She's just there to provide comfort and support when they're having to come and face the task of testifying."

Dog a 'magnet'

"I think it must be very intimidating, not just for youths, even adults who in so many realms of their lives are confident people, feel like they can deal with things. They come to the courthouse, which can be a very intimidating environment," said Schnall. "It's an imposing building, it's an imposing room. So (we need to do) whatever we can do to help people get through the process as intact as possible." 

Justice Schnall has already heard about a group of teenagers who met Merel in the courthouse.  She says they were drawn to the dog like a magnet. 

"A facility dog like Merel is like a live teddy bear.  People immediately relax." 

Win-win

Merel is worth about $30,000 because of her extensive training. But she was provided at no cost to the London courthouse by National Service Dogs, an organization funded by donations. Her ongoing costs, such as veterinary bills, food, collars, leashes and dog beds, are also funded with donations.

Justice Schnall calls it a win-win.

"It's an exciting project. I think it is a very worthwhile project. The benefits can be immeasurable for the people who are involved."

Even though Merel has only been on the job a couple of weeks, Crawford says, she's already making a huge difference, not only for the children, but for stressed out staff members at the courthouse.

More importantly, Crawford says, Merel is helping the children who need it most.  

"It's hard to believe I did my job without her. It's changed how I do my work and it's changed how young people respond.  And, often times they've been saying, 'I don't want to leave the courthouse,' because they don't want to leave Merel.  Trust me, when it was just me, they were quite happy to get out of there."

Justice Schnall is succinct: "We need more Merels," she said.