Courthouse Dogs Foundation

SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT

Meet Dr. Kerri Rodriguez

We see it every day in this work—a child's shoulders drop, a witness takes a breath, a survivor finds the words they couldn't find before.
We know the presence of a facility dog can make a difference. But what does the science tell us about what's actually happening in those moments?

At the 2026 International Courthouse Dogs® Conference, . Kerri Rodriguez, Assistant Professor at the University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine, will bring the research behind the human-animal bond to the stage in her session:

The Science of the Bond: What Research Tells Us About Dogs, Stress, and Human Healing in High-Stakes Settings

Dr. Rodriguez has spent her career investigating the measurable impacts of the human-animal bond, including the effects of therapy and facility dogs on wellbeing and the potential stress-buffering effects of dogs.

She'll explore what the science tells us about dogs in high-stakes settings, what we still don't know, and why continued research matters for the future of the justice facility dog model.

For those who have seen firsthand that this work changes lives, this session offers something powerful: the evidence to match the instinct and the language and data to help explain why it matters.

2026 International Courthouse Dogs® Conference
📅 October 7–8, 2026
📍 Vancouver, BC
✔️Register: https://cdf2026conference.sched.com/

We love seeing Lorne, Barley and Polar out spreading a little joy while raising awareness about the important role facility dogs play in supporting children through difficult experiences.

Thank you for sharing these great photos!

SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT

Meet the Panel: Trained for This

Long before a facility dog steps into a courtroom, forensic interview, or crisis setting, years of thoughtful breeding, socialization, training, and preparation have already taken place.

At the 2026 International Courthouse Dogs® Conference, we're bringing together experts from leading ADI-accredited placing organizations to take us behind the scenes of that journey.

Trained for This: How ADI-Accredited Programs Prepare Facility Dogs for Justice Work
Moderated by Kim Gramlich of Justice Facility Dogs Canada, the panel features:
• Rochelle Barber, National Service Dogs
• Geneviève Deschênes, MIRA Foundation
• Courtney Starr, Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides
• Jacob Rodgers, Pacific Assistance Dogs Society (PADS)
• Catherine Barrette, Pacific Assistance Dogs Society (PADS)

Together, they'll explore the arc of a facility dog's development—from intentional breeding and early socialization to specialized training and placement. They'll also tackle the realities of supply and growing demand, and what accredited organizations look for when partnering with a new program.

And bring your questions! This session is designed to be a conversation, with dedicated time for attendees to ask the experts about the dogs, the training, the placement process, and more.

For anyone who has ever wondered what goes into preparing these exceptional dogs for justice work, this is your chance to hear directly from the organizations behind the dogs.

2026 International Courthouse Dogs® Conference
📅 October 7–8, 2026
📍 Vancouver, BC
✔️Register here: https://cdf2026conference.sched.com/

What a wonderful recognition for an extraordinary team.

Congratulations to facility dog Karissa Justice and her handler, Assistant District Attorney Meghan Falcon, whose work with the New Orleans District Attorney's Office was recently recognized by WWL-TV Louisiana.

Since being matched in 2023, Karissa and Meghan have supported survivors and witnesses in more than 100 meetings and 24 trials—providing comfort, calm, and a steady presence during some of life’s most difficult moments.

Their impact reaches even further. Their work helped shine a light on a gap in Louisiana law and contributed to the passage of Duvall and Karissa’s Law, which expands access to trained facility dogs for witnesses in sex-offense trials.

We’re so proud to see this team, and the important role of facility dogs in the justice system, recognized. Congratulations, Karissa and Meghan! 🐾

Watch Here: https://vimeo.com/1219940045?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci

Read about it here: https://orleansda.com/the-quiet-work-of-justice/

Karissa Justice: WWL's Patriot of the Week This is "Karissa Justice: WWL's Patriot of the Week" by Orleans Parish District Attorney on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT

Meet Jackie Clark

The justice facility dog movement is growing and meeting that demand starts long before a dog enters a courthouse.

Jackie Clark, Co-Founder of Working Dog Innovations, has spent more than 25 years in the assistance dog field, with experience spanning breeding program management, puppy development, training systems, volunteer support, and placement planning.

At the 2026 International Courthouse Dogs® Conference, Jackie will bring that experience to a timely conversation:
Purpose-Bred Dogs: The Case, the Challenges, and the Future of Supply

Jackie will explore the value purpose-bred dogs bring to justice work—from greater predictability in health and temperament to matching dogs with an agency’s specific needs, planning for retirement and succession, and building a sustainable pipeline as demand grows.

She’ll also look at the broader challenges facing the industry today and the opportunities they create for accredited programs to strengthen their position, tell their story, and help meet the growing need for justice facility dogs.

For handlers, program administrators, assistance dog organizations, and anyone invested in the long-term health of the justice facility
dog movement, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

2026 International Courthouse Dogs® Conference
📅 October 7–8, 2026
📍 Vancouver, BC
✔️Register: https://cdf2026conference.sched.com/

ONE MONTH TO GO!

One month from today, the Courthouse Dogs® community will come together in Vancouver for the 2026 International Courthouse Dogs® Conference!

Two days of learning. Incredible speakers. Candid conversations. Practical ideas. New connections. And a room full of people (and pups) who understand just how powerful the partnership between a facility dog and their handler can be.

Whether you're coming to learn from the latest research, strengthen your program, hear what's working in other communities, connect with colleagues, or simply spend two days with people who share your passion for this work, we can't wait to welcome you.

The countdown to Vancouver is officially on. 🐾

📅 October 7–8, 2026
📍 Vancouver, BC

Haven't registered yet? There's still time to be part of it.

🔗 Register: https://cdf2026conference.sched.com

SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT

Meet Jade Cabana & Charlotte Moses-Bélanger

What does it take to move a justice facility dog program from individual champions to government-backed commitment?

In Québec, Jade Cabana of the Québec Ministry of Justice, Charlotte Moses-Bélanger of the Mira Foundation, and the CAVAC network (Québec's Crime Victims Assistance Centres) have worked together to build a province-wide approach to supporting victims and witnesses through the use of judicial assistance dogs.

At the 2026 International Courthouse Dogs® Conference, Jade and Charlotte will take us behind the scenes of that work during their session:

A Province at a Time: How Quebec Built a Government-Backed Justice Dog Program

They’ll share how the collaboration came together, the relationships and internal support needed to move it forward, and what they’ve learned while working toward an ambitious goal: a justice facility dog in each administrative region across Québec.

For anyone thinking about how to grow facility dog programs beyond a single agency or organization, this is a session you won’t want to miss.

2026 International Courthouse Dogs® Conference

📅October 7–8, 2026
📍 Vancouver, BC
✔️Register: https://cdf2026conference.sched.com/

🐾 Your Vancouver conference gear has arrived!

The CDF Store has a fresh lineup of gear featuring the 2026 International Courthouse Dogs Conference logo so you can arrive in Vancouver ready to represent.

T-shirts, hoodies, hats, bags, luggage tags and more are waiting for you. And while you’re looking, check out the other new CDF items we’ve added to the store.

Conference attendees: order early to give your gear plenty of time to arrive before you head to Vancouver.

Shop the CDF Store: https://shop.courthousedogs.org/

Still need to register for the conference? We can help with that. Follow this link: https://cdf2026conference.sched.com/

We can’t wait to see everyone—and all that CDF gear—in Vancouver!

We may be a little late for National Dog Day, but around here, we think every day is a pretty good day to celebrate dogs. 🐾💙

Today, we're sending a little extra love to the incredible facility dogs who bring comfort, calm, and courage to people navigating the justice system—and to all their four-legged friends who have an equally important job: simply making our lives better.

To the dogs who work beside us, play beside us, nap beside us, and love us unconditionally, we're grateful for every tail wag, wet nose, quiet nudge, and moment of joy you bring.

Happy National Dog Day from Courthouse Dogs Foundation! Give your favorite pup an extra scratch from us.

Photo: Facility dog Josiah IV and his handler, Wendy (Wicomico County, MD)