One Little Girls’ Life Is Changed Forever Because of a Deaf Dog

Therapy dogs are so important when people need help. They’re used in various situations that are difficult or stressful. In fact, you can find therapy dogs for all types of problems, such as seizures or hyperactive disorders.

One type of therapy dog is there for children who must testify in the courtroom. The kids feel safer, and everyone knows that this is a stressful event. Most adults have problems, so you can imagine how a child feels. It’s nice to have a therapy dog to comfort them.

Karl is one therapy dog that changed a girl’s life forever.

A Court Dog

Adult matters are often scary for children, and that’s especially true when they must testify in court. However, that’s often necessary to get the whole picture and convict the bad person. One little girl faced this challenge when someone wronged her.

She Froze

That little girl froze up when she saw the man who hurt her. No one blamed her for being scared, but everyone realized that her testimony was important for the case. However, Karl came to save the day.

About Karl

Karl is a therapy dog, but he’s a little different than others. At 5 years old and 65 pounds, he’s in the Companions for Courage program. This K-9th circuit dog appears in court whenever he must support children who testify.

K-9th Circuit Program

K-9th Circuit Program dogs offer protection and comfort to kids who must testify in courtrooms. In fact, the US court system recognizes the need for these measures against trauma, and therapy dogs are the best choice.

More on Karl

Therapy dogs are special in their own rights, but Karl is unique because he’s actually deaf! This is a great asset because he can’t react to the noisy courtroom and focuses on the one he’s trying to comfort.

Calm and Cool

Because of Karl’s demeanor, he’s popular with all the children. Plus, his size is just enough to make them feel safe without being overbearing. Often, he comes to the courtroom dressed in silly outfits, which puts kids at ease.

The Challenge

It was hard to train Karl as a therapy dog because he was deaf. Joanne was his trainer, and she’d worked with three other boxers before him. However, she’d never handled a deaf dog before. He required different training since he couldn’t hear any of the commands.

A Solution

Joanne helped Karl follow commands creatively. He learned American Sign Language, so she could sign the orders to him. Soon, he was an excellent therapy dog because he knew what to do!

Enjoying Life

Karl is a special-needs dog, but he doesn’t let that stop him from doing his job as a therapy dog. He likes to bring joy to everyone he meets. Plus, his disability makes him excel in the courtroom because there are plenty of noises.

The Helping Paw

Therapy dogs within the K-9th circuit help sad children handle being in the courtroom. These kids need the courage to testify and stand up for themselves against the wrongs they faced, and this makes it easier to do.

The Little Girl’s Issue

Certain things shouldn’t happen to little girls. This young lady found out that the man who hurt her was to be in the courtroom while she testified. She was scared to see him, but Karl’s being there made her feel safe.

One Problem

Karl had a unique problem when working. Most children don’t know American Sign Language, so they can’t communicate with him. Joanne realized that quickly and came up with an excellent idea to fix it.

A Hand Signal

Joanne taught Karl a special hand signal, which made him the most popular therapy dog ever. Children often believed they had a secret code whenever they used it. Therefore, he saved the day many times.

Therapy Dogs in the Courtroom

Therapy dogs in courtrooms are often encouraged, especially when younger victims have to testify. One girl seriously needed a therapy dog, and she was working with Joanne, shocking her with a baffling question.

The Difficult Case

This little girl was part of a difficult case, and she asked Joanne if Karl could protect her. She was afraid of everything after that man had wronged her. Therefore, it’s crucial for a therapy dog to be there for support.

Nervousness

Karl sat with the girl through the preparations and depositions. This gave her the courage needed to speak up, even though it was a scary situation. Once she got into the courtroom, she froze, feeling afraid to face this man.

The Hero

The girl quickly signed to Karl, and he sat beside her. This brought her comfort and security. In fact, she ran her feet around his fur to feel safer. Finally, she had the strength to say her piece.

A Support System

This little girl started testifying, and Karl never left her side. She got through the whole trial with no issues, and that prepping paid off. However, everyone was shocked after it was all over.

Huge Difference

Karl’s story spread online like wildfire, and everyone learned what he did. In fact, millions of people worldwide heard about the story. This helped him spread awareness for his program and the benefits it offers.

Continued Assistance

When the trial finished, Karl continued giving support to those who testified earlier. Plus, he never disappears from their lives once things are done. He is there even outside the courtroom to make them feel comforted.

Unknown Hero

Karl doesn’t realize he’s a hero to the children he meets and helps. Though he’s a therapy dog in a courtroom, he only wants to do a good job and get cuddles. His disability actually assists the process.

Not Only a Job

Karl never treats those children as patients he’s helping. Instead, he becomes their friend. That little girl didn’t only get security from him. He also received affection and love from her, and that’s all these dogs want.

Every Therapy Dog

Therapy dogs simply want love and attention, and that’s true for any pet. However, these are special because they give security and companionship to people in need. See Boomer helping his friend in Dependency Court!

Judges Too

Did you know that therapy dogs don’t only work with those who testify in court? They can help judges feel comfort since they work long hours. In fact, they like to get cuddles, and Judge Latimore is all for it!

Bringing Joy

Therapy dogs are working animals, but they are friends to children in stressful times, such as testifying. Here, you see Dupont, a K-9th therapy dog, being a friendly pooch to a teen in Dependency Court.

The Morning Shift

Therapy dogs must work around the clock to give support to people in need. However, they work in shifts, with one taking the morning and another going on in the afternoon. They’ll never miss a chance to brighten someone’s day!

Making a Difference

The therapy dogs in this community have made a huge difference to others without realizing it. Dupont and Essie are finally relaxing after spreading love all day and helping children in need.

The Perks

The Companion for Courage team loves their job, and the best part is the love and attention they get while working. Though the therapy dogs work with many seniors and children, they’re never shy about doling out affection!

No Employee of the Month

You can’t have a single therapy dog as the employee of the month because they all excel at what they do. Plus, they don’t really care about recognition. They’re only there to bring comfort and joy to those they meet.

Waiting Patiently

Courtrooms require patience because you must wait a long time. Here, you see Karl, who completely understands the game. He’s taught himself to sit down on the bench until his friends arrive.

The Entire Team

The Companion for Courage program has flourished throughout the years and now has tons of therapy dogs. Therefore, they can help many people. It all started with Karl’s work within the courtroom, and now more programs are beginning.

Karl’s Impact

That little girl gave her testimony successfully, and the man who hurt her received a just conviction. He’s locked up and can’t hurt others now. Overall, it was all because of one deaf therapy dog called Karl!

Meet Bella

Bella is also part of the K-9th circuit program and is a loyal, calm, attention-loving Doberman Pinscher. She offers reassurance and security to the children who must testify in court and does her job well.

Boomer

Boomer is another K-9th circuit therapy dog. He’s a Poodle/Sheltie mix and joined the circuit program after being a therapy dog elsewhere for a while. Now, he teaches other dogs to do this line of work so that it will continue.

Daisy-Mai

Daisy-Mai is quite a cutie, and she’s been a therapy dog for over 10 years. She’s part of a Pet Therapy team in Orlando, and the pedigree Pomeranian works in Arnold Palmer Hospital and Nemours Children’s Hospital.

Kenai

Kenai suffered tough times as a puppy, but the rescued American Atika now has a better lifestyle. He helps other people live more comfortably. Plus, his favorite thing to get is belly rubs, and everyone’s happy to oblige.

Tilley

Tilley’s full name means “mighty in battle.” Matilda is a fitting name for this pooch because she was abandoned as a puppy. After being nursed to health, she’s become a hero to those she encounters. Everyone loves to see her beautiful doggy face!

Essie

Essie had to be rescued after being born in 2012. The mixed-breed dog became a therapy dog, which helped her meet tons of people, and she loves it. Her favorite thing is being part of Companions for Courage and doing her part for the community.

Josie

Josie became a therapy dog after getting rescued in 2008. She excelled at training and now offers support to those in need. Since she started her job, she’s logged over 2,000 hours of assistance to children and seniors! She’s definitely a trooper!

Maverick

Maverick is a certified therapy dog, and the Golden Doodle was born in 2014. He loves to go to schools and nursing homes to show everyone his fluffy fur and get tons of hugs. In fact, he tries very hard to get as many as he can!