Courthouse Dogs Foundation

Congratulations to Guide Dogs of America | Tender Loving Canines on being named a 2026 California Nonprofit of the Year by California State Assembly Member Celeste Rodriguez.

This is well-deserved recognition for an organization whose impact is felt through every guide, service, facility, and therapy dog team they help bring into the world.

We’re proud to celebrate our longtime partners and friends at GDA | TLC. 🐾

After six years of dedicated service at the Oak Child and Youth Advocacy Centre in Vernon, BC, Canada, facility dog Cirque officially retired in April.

Throughout her career, Cirque helped children feel safer, calmer, and supported during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Her quiet presence made a lasting impact on countless children, families, and professionals along the way.

Thank you to the Oak CYAC team and to PADS, who helped support Cirque’s incredible work over the years.

Wishing Cirque a happy retirement filled with trail walks, lake adventures, and plenty of early dinners. 🐾

Thank you for your service, Buster.

Introduced by the York County Wellness Courts in 2013, Buster was a pioneer—not only in Pennsylvania, but across the country—supporting individuals navigating Drug, DUI, Mental Health, and Veterans’ Treatment Courts.

At a time when facility dogs were primarily used to support victims and witnesses, Buster helped expand what was possible within the justice system. His calm presence brought comfort and connection to individuals facing substance use, PTSD, and mental health challenges.

His role was simple: to be present. His impact was profound.

Behind every courthouse facility dog is a devoted handler and an extraordinary bond built on trust, teamwork, and compassion. 💙🐾

This National Dog Mom Day, we’re celebrating just a few of the incredible dog-handler teams around the world who show up every day to support children and other vulnerable individuals navigating the justice system.

What if giving big… started small?

GiveBIG Washington is almost over, but there’s still time to make a meaningful impact.

A small monthly gift—$5, $10, or $20—might not feel like much, but over time, it adds up to something powerful. It helps us continue supporting children and other vulnerable individuals when they need it most.

Small can be mighty. 💙
Start your monthly gift today: https://courthousedogs.org/donate/

Vancouver is calling 🐾

Imagine this: crisp October air, mountain views, the harbor just outside your window, and a community of people working every day to bring more compassion into the justice system.

That’s the 2026 International Courthouse Dogs® Conference.

October 7–8, 2026
Coast Coal Harbour Hotel by AP
Vancouver, BC, Canada

☑️International speakers
☑️Real conversations about what’s working—and what’s possible
☑️A new digital experience with Sched

Whether you’re part of an established program or just starting to explore facility dogs in your work, this conference is for you.

👉 Registration is now open: https://cdf2026conference.sched.com

We can’t wait to see you there!

Friday afternoon energy

We’re grateful to see the FBI – Federal Bureau of Investigation take this important step in advancing standards for the use of facility dogs in federal settings.

These guidelines reflect years of thoughtful collaboration across partners, and we’re proud that the Courthouse Dogs Foundation was invited to contribute to their development.

Most importantly, this work will help ensure that victims, witnesses, and their families are supported with care and consistency during federal court proceedings. Our hope is that it also opens the door for more facility dog teams to join the federal court support system in the years ahead.

Read more here: http://fbi.gov/.../facility-dog-best-practice-guidelines

As part of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, Victim Services just launched a first-of-its-kind set of guidelines for federal facility dogs.

This resource, years in the making with external facility dog and victim services partners, offers standards and recommendations for the operational use of facility dogs to support crime victims/witnesses and family members.

Thank you to all of our who made this guide possible and to the facility dog teams who support crime victims/witnesses and family members every day.

Read more here: fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/victim-services/crisis-response-canines-program/facility-dog-best-practice-guidelines

Warmer days are on the way ☀️
Time to swap out the layers for something fresh and a little lighter.

Our Courthouse Dogs Foundation storefront has t-shirts and more. Each purchase helps support our mission to bring comfort and compassion into the justice system.

Wear your support. It matters.

https://shop.courthousedogs.org/
https://teddythedog.com/collections/courthouse-dogs