Cadillac’s New Life: Keeping Children Safe and Serving Justice
Elizabeth Grahmann sees firsthand how difficult it can be for children surviving trauma to testify in the Kendall County District Courtroom about what happened to them. She works as a legal clerk with the Victim Services Division of the Kendall County Criminal District Attorney’s Office. They applied to Service Dogs, Inc for a Courthouse Facility Dog to lessen the children’s stress and ultimately, make sure justice is served.
Service Dogs, Inc. matched her with Cadillac, a Cattle Dog mix adopted from the Houston SPCA. The former shelter dog moved quickly through our training program, acing advanced public behavior and mastering the skill of settling in under a desk or witness stand.
“When defense attorneys cross examine children, it can be very stressful and almost re-traumatizing for them,” said Elizabeth. “Cadillac will make the entire criminal justice process easier for them. It’s also known that a Courthouse Facility Dog supporting child victims results in a higher rate of outcry and a higher rate of conviction.”
Cadillac provides another layer of support for the people who work in the DA’s office who constantly deal with extremely serious topics. He benefits their mental well-being by reducing stress and anxiety and promoting a sense of calm.
