Dogged Justice is an educational podcast focused on sharing the positive impact facility dogs make in the criminal justice system. Hosted by Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist Dr Jim Ha and Courthouse Facility Dog Handler Colleen Phelan each episode will share a new aspect of the world wide work of the Courthouse Dogs Foundation. Weekly 30 - 45 minute episodes will bring you insightful interviews from members of the community, to deep dives into cutting edge research, and Jim’s Training Corner.
To learn more about what they are doing to change the criminal justice system go to https://courthousedogs.org/
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Cognitive Research With Puppies featuring Guest Emily Bray
Season 2 · Episode 21
Friday, October 15, 2021 • Duration 50:26
Have you ever wondered what it looks like to be an Animal Behavior Researcher? Emily Bray from the Arizona Canine Cognition Center joins Colleen and Jim in this episode. Emily takes our hosts through her process of working with puppies, tells them how the research is functionally applied and shares some of the activities she takes the working dogs through as well.
Episode Highlights
1:26 - Meet the first guest of Season 2 Emily Bray from the Arizona Canine Cognition Center & Canine Companions
2:30 - The work that Canine Companions early development center does.
4:35 - Emily’s process and her early work in animal behavior studies.
6:30 - Surprising behaviors discovered during the maternal studies.
10:05 - Jim & Emily reflect on how important the maternal work being done benefits all dog owners. Plus, where Jim has recently referenced the work.
12:30 - Why these long-term studies are so challenging to complete.
17:00 - The benefits of these long-term studies and why it's worth being patient for them to be completed.
18:00 - Emily goes deep on the cognitive research she's been conducting on working dogs.
23:00 - How this research get’s functionally applied in the real world.
26:00 - Jim points out how specialized puppy raisers' intuition and years of experience play a part in all of this.
31:00 - Jim invites Emily to share her recent publications from the data she’s collected.
33:00 - 3 tasks used in recent testing and what the results helped us understand.
38:00 - Thinking about Blake, Colleen reflects on the daily tasks her facility dog would and would not be suited for.
40:45 - Jim and Emily talk through what makes positive and negative outcomes, and how a working dog's characteristics play a part.
43:30 - What happens when a working dog isn't the right fit for the originally intended working environment.
45:15 - Emily share's what it's like to work with these cute dogs all day as a professional animal behavior researcher.
If you'd like to know more about the work Emily does you can follow her website at https://www.emilyebray.com/
Season 2 - Science, Training, and Research Behind Facility Dogs
Season 2 · Episode 20
Sunday, July 11, 2021 • Duration 30:38
Welcome back to Season 2 of Dogged Justice. This season Colleen and Jim will be focusing on the complexities of the science and research behind selecting and training facility dogs. Our hosts also provide personal updates and share the celebration of Molly B’s life as a facility dog.
Show Highlights
1:30 - Season 1 Recap
2:30 - What to expect in Season 2
4:30 - Science behind selecting these facility dogs
6:30 - Examples of research happening now
8:30 - Jim explains complexities in the evolution of scientific methods
12:00 - Updates on Frannie, Blake
17:30 - Colleen asks Jim why Blake is upset when she gets in the hammock
20:30 - Celebrating Molly B’s life and service
22:00 - Jim shares his first memory of Molly B
26:00 - Colleen reflects on when she’s interacted with Molly B
Upcoming Virtual Symposium on Responding to Incidents of Mass Victimization
Season 1 · Episode 19
Monday, January 11, 2021 • Duration 01:08:52
This episode spotlights the upcoming training opportunity presented by the Courthouse Dogs Foundation on Responding To Incidents of Mass Victimization. Colleen & Jim welcome back Kim Gramlich & Tamara Martin presenters at this symposium to give you a preview on what to expect, and help identify if this is the right symposium for you to attend.
2:15 - January 20th, 2021 Courthouse Dogs Foundation Virtual Symposium on Responding to Incidents of Mass Victimization
3:30 - Kim Gramlich shares the roles she fills when there is a crisis
6:00 - Tamara Martin from Alabama is also back to share her experience in these events
8:15 - What Jim has observed following these events
10:45 - Creating best practices for response to these events
13:25 - Being prepared and mentally focused as a handler for a Mass Casualty Response
15:45 - Defining the role the dogs play at these events
19:00 - Managing the dogs as a resource to ensure they have down time
22:30 - Asking the right questions to prioritize who needs help
25:00 - Jim shares what to expect when attending the symposium
28:15 - Colleen recognizes how responding has impacted her
30:15 - The flexibility, change of routine, and requests that come with these circumstances
34:00 - What you know vs what may be asked of you
Puppy Raising With Kathy Zastrow
Season 1 · Episode 18
Tuesday, December 8, 2020 • Duration 01:04:21
We’ve interviewed puppy breeders, trainers, and handlers now it’s time to get the perspective from a puppy raiser. Kathy Zastrow with Canine Companions For Independence joins us to share her unique perspective on raising a puppy before handing it off to the training process. She shares so many surprises and family lessons learned as well as some of her memorable moments.
Episode Highlights
1:10 - Meet Kathy Zastrow puppy raiser for & Northwest Region Board Member with Canine Companions for Independence
2:45 - Volunteering for a new puppy with a catch!
4:15 - Kathy’s children learn a valuable lesson
7:00 - Family lessons learned raising puppies
10:30 - The kids continuing the legacy
11:30 - Introducing the program to Aiden the first puppy Kathy raised
15:00 - A trip to the grocery store wins over the principal
17:00 - Jared takes the dog on the school bus
19:30 - 5 types of Canine Companions for Independence service dogs
21:30 - Supporting Veterans with PSTD
24:00 - What the process for becoming a puppy raiser looks like
27:30 - The behaviors and training these puppies have
30:30 - The importance of socialization
32:00 - The funnest place Kathy has socialized a puppy
34:00 - Raising male puppies
37:00 - Placing a dog in the right job based on their personality
39:30 - What the transition from training to working looks like for the dogs
42:45 - Observing the unexpected path the dogs take
The Many Aspects Of Breeding with Marina Phillips
Season 1 · Episode 17
Tuesday, October 20, 2020 • Duration 48:14
While you may have assumptions on how working dogs are bred, there is still plenty to learn. Marina Phillips the Breeding Coop Administrator for Assistance Dogs International North America Regional helps answer many questions on this topic. Jim shares why the terminology is so important when discussing these topics as well.
2:00 - Meet Marina Phillips a Breeding Coop Administrator for Assistance Dogs International
2:30 - How the programs work together
4:30 - Breeding Cooperative accreditation & member schools
6:00 - Sharing resources in breeding
8:00 - How the breeding cooperative began
11:30 - Marina’s journey to the breeding cooperative
16:30 - The many aspects of breeding
19:00 - Tracking the window of ovulation
20:00 - Development of the colony of
22:30 - The ways genetic testing is leveraged
24:00 - Definitions for naming of dog characteristics
28:00 - Developing systems to screen & develop for training
30:00 - Formalizing terminology to work together for best possible outcomes
32:00 - Micro Behaviors seen to recognize long term outcomes
34:00 - Training handlers to spot the behaviors that benefit the dogs
36:30 - Marina shares how feedback influences what works well
Breeding & Caring For The Puppies That Become Working Dogs
Season 1 · Episode 16
Tuesday, October 13, 2020 • Duration 01:20:30
How many loads of laundry does it take to raise a puppy? Who takes care of the pregnant dogs? How are the dogs paired for breeding? Colleen & Jim are joined by Breeder Caretaker Wendy Clock Johnson from Canine Companions for Independence to answer all our puppy breeding and raising questions. They also discuss why this process is so important for successful working dogs.
Episode Highlights
1:00 - Meet Wendy Clock Johnson the Breeder Caretaker for Canine Companions For Independence
3:30 - How Wendy becoming a breeder caretaker
5:30 - The process for breeding and and length of service
7:30 - What happens if a breeder caretaker needs help
9:30 - The challenges of socializing dogs right now
12:15 - All the loads of laundry to do!
14:45 - From pregnancy, to whelping boxes
19:30 - Maximum puppy cuteness, Jim shares the science
23:15 - Pairing the dogs for breeding
26:30 - Seeing characteristics passed from parent to puppy
27:45 - Recognizing the skills generationally
30:15 - Wendy shares a few examples she’s seen
31:30 - Why purposeful breeding is useful
34:00 - Mission critical tasks we rely on dogs for
36:30 - History, hit rate, and choosing the environments
39:00 - Milestones the breeder caretaker manages
40:30 - An unexpected conditioning moment
42:45 - When puppies are ready to go to the puppy raiser
Minimizing Separation Anxiety & What’s Next On The Podcast
Season 1 · Episode 15
Wednesday, October 7, 2020 • Duration 37:21
Colleen and Jim reflect on what has happened on the podcast so far and share how it’s already benefiting the community. They also share what you can expect on upcoming episodes. Jim also shares his best tips for minimizing separation anxiety when you leave your dog home.
5:45 - Selecting from the right genetics for the best start
7:20 - The experiences through training the dogs
9:00 - Features you recognize
10:30 - Similarities within breeding
12:30 - Exploring the assistance dog schools
13:30 - Recapping what we’ve discussed so far
15:00 - Colleen shares the 2 things she’s observed so far
17:35 - The impact this podcast has made so far
19:15 - The motivation Jim has experienced
21:00 - Connecting during this time apart
24:00 - November Virtual Race & Walk
26:00 - Separation anxiety for our dogs
31:00 - Keeping in mind your dogs age
32:30 - Puppies may be very confused when this is done
Advocating & Teaming Up In Alabama (Part 2)
Season 1 · Episode 14
Sunday, September 20, 2020 • Duration 54:45
Continuing last week's episode the Alabama network shares a wide range of experiences with the facility dogs they work with. Colleen also learns more about each of the facility dogs similar personality traits. We wrap up this 2 part series talking about the value of these networks in the community. Colleen provides next steps if you want to see a program like this in your community.
Tamara Martin (pictured) has facility dog Willow. Tamara works the Office of Prosecution Services in Montgomery, AL. Tamara is Grant Administrator and facility dog handler.
Ann Leith (primary handler and full-time handler) and Jana Thomas (secondary handler) have facility dog, Wilson. They work at the National Children's Advocacy Center in Huntsville, AL
Patricia Falcon has facility dog Kuzco. she is the ED of the James M. Barrie Center for Children (CAC) in Gadsden, AL
Tonya Willingham has facility dog Fitzgerald (Fitz). Tonya is a former prosecutor in the Shelby County, AL District Attorney's office who switched from prosecuting child cases to being a full-time dog handler.
Episode Highlights
1:30 - Observing Willow’s personality
2:45 - Tamera is still surprised letting Willow work
4:30 - How he dogs know who to serve & compliment the advocates
5:45 - Nervous moments that make a trial manageable
7:50 - Tamera’s future plans for a successor dog
9:45 - The planning that goes into managing a facility dogs life
13:00 - Ann & Wilson impact a child in therapy with Autism
15:15 - Jana observes Wilson creating comfort for a 10 year old girl
Advocating & Teaming Up In Alabama (Part 1)
Season 1 · Episode 13
Monday, September 14, 2020 • Duration 47:06
Colleen kicks off this two part episode with 4 members of the Alabama facility dog community. Ann, Jana, Patricia,Tamera and Tonya share how they came together to launch their statewide efforts to benefit the communities they serve. This episode discusses how both the National Children's Advocacy Center and the H.E.R.O. Program were founded, and who they serve.
Tamara Martin (pictured) has facility dog Willow. Tamara works the Office of Prosecution Services in Montgomery, AL. Tamara is Grant Administrator and facility dog handler.
Ann Leith (primary handler and full-time handler) and Jana Thomas (secondary handler) have facility dog, Wilson. They work at the National Children's Advocacy Center in Huntsville, AL
Patricia Falcon has facility dog Kuzco. she is the ED of the James M. Barrie Center for Children (CAC) in Gadsden, AL
Tonya Willingham has facility dog Fitzgerald (Fitz). Tonya is a former prosecutor in the Shelby County, AL District Attorney's office who switched from prosecuting child cases to being a full-time dog handler.
Episode Highlights
2:05 - Meet Patricia Falcon the Executive Director for the James Berry Center for Children in Gadsden Alabama and handler of Kuzco
5:00 - National Children’s Advocacy Center Ann Leith handler shares Wilson’s role at her facility
7:45 - Jana Thomas Family Advocate explains the team approach to managing Wilson
10:45 - Tonya Willingham transitioned from a District Attorney to handler of facility dog Fitzgerald working out of the Shelby County Courthouse
13:00 - Tamara Martin of the H.E.R.O.’s program - Helping. Empowering. Restoring. Overcoming.
15:10 - Victims Of Crime Act’s role in this program
16:00 - Providing ongoing training for the 10 facility dogs and handlers in the program
Facility Dogs Building Confidence Down Under
Season 1 · Episode 12
Sunday, August 30, 2020 • Duration 01:11:04
Colleen and Jim learn the unique ways that their peers in Australia have used facility dogs to build confidence throughout the justice system. Jane Kefford Client Services Manager for Assistance Dogs Of Australia and Julie Morrison victim engagement coordinator for the Victoria Office Of Public Prosecutions and handler of Lucy / Suzy join us this week.
Episode Highlights
1:00 - Bringing the first accredited facility dog to Australia
4:45 - Coming to the states to learn from the Courthouse Dogs Foundation
6:15 - Jane Kefford breaks down the structure of Assistance Dogs of Australia
7:30 - Pups in prison program
11:00 - Transitioning the facility dogs from the handlers to the recipients
12:45 - Prisoners support of the program after release
14:45 - The confidence that this program brings
16:30 - Opportunities inside these programs for the prisoners and facility dogs
18:30 - A last minute change brings Julie and Lucy Suzy together
21:15 - The first time taking the liesh, Julie, Colleen & Jim recall that moment
25:30 - Settling into the process with the newly placed facility dogs
27:15 - Jim shares Frannie’s first flight
28:30 - Suzy Lucy the chocolate labrador’s personality & work
32:00 - How Australia’s justice system functions
34:45 - Lucy Suzy working in the courtroom
36:15 - Navigating the courtroom
39:00 - Allowing people to see the work.
41:30 - The specialized training Assistance Dogs of Australia
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