PRESS RELEASE
For more information contact:
Vanessa Helms, Director
Victim Services
(520) 724-5530

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 13, 2018

Tucson, Arizona - Pima County’s Courthouse Dog Program is expanding with the addition of two new dogs.  Baja, a black Labrador Retriever, and Jones, a yellow Labrador Retriever, are brothers and were born October 13, 2017. 


Initially started in October 2012 by the Pima County Attorney’s Office, the Courthouse Dog program was the first of its kind in Pima County.  The Pima County Attorney’s Office is part of a growing movement of criminal justice agencies that use facility dogs to provide comfort and emotional support to crime victims, particularly children and other vulnerable people.  The courthouse dogs at the Pima County Attorney’s Office are used throughout the entire legal process including the initial forensic interview, victim meetings with prosecution teams and advocates, sitting patiently with victims in trial, and even accompanying them to the witness box to testify. 


Pima County’s first Courthouse Dog, Russell, a Golden Retriever, has retired from service.  He worked primarily at the Southern Arizona Children’s Advocacy Center providing support to children and their families.  Due to Russell’s successes, Blake, a black Labrador Retriever, joined the team.  Blake continues to provide support to child and adult victims of crime throughout the criminal justice process and in the Superior and Justice Courts.


“This program in Pima County has made a significant and positive impact on the experience of many crime victims,” said Barbara LaWall, Pima County Attorney. “Now that Russell has retired, we are thrilled to have Jones and Baja on our team to provide invaluable support and solace to even more victims who have experienced horrific crimes.”


Baja and Jones grew up together in northern New Mexico where they were raised and trained by Assistance Dogs of the West, an organization accredited by Assistance Dogs International.  The brothers were bred and selected for their calm dispositions and then extensively trained as professional facility dogs, and are able to follow more than 100 commands.  While most dogs from Assistance Dogs of the West are placed as service animals for individuals with disabilities, a few dogs like Baja and Jones, put their vast training to use as facility dogs, where they will help hundreds of people over their lifetimes. 


Jones and Baja will live and work with victim advocates who have been specially trained. The dogs are being cross-trained to be able to provide emotional support to victims at the Pima County Superior, Justice, and Juvenile Courts, as well as at the Southern Arizona Children’s Advocacy Center.