Deaf Dog Ends Up Changing One Little Girl’s Life Indefinitely

Therapy dogs are excellent and can help people of any age who suffer from difficult or stressful situations. This is no secret to anyone. In fact, you can find them for every problem out there, including seizures and hyperactive disorders.

Did you know there’s a particular type of therapy dog available to help kids feel safer while they testify in a courtroom? There’s no exaggeration to say that being called to testify is a stressful event, and children often get sick to their stomachs when doing it. That’s why it’s comforting for them to have a therapy dog with them.

One therapy dog named Karl changed a girl’s life forever. Here is their story.

The Court Dog

Adult problems can be quite frightening for kids, especially when they must testify in court. However, it’s necessary in many situations. One young girl had to take that stand because someone wronged her.

She Froze Up

The poor little girl froze immediately when she saw the man who did her wrong. Nobody blamed her for being afraid, but she had to give her testimony, and the entire courtroom knew that. However, Karl was a court dog that came to save the day!

Meet Karl

Karl isn’t an average therapy dog. This was a white boxer that weighed 65 pounds and was 5 years old at the time. He’s a K-9 circuit dog and part of the Companions for Courage deal. Therefore, he can appear in court and offer support for testifying kids.

K-9 Circuit Program

K-9 circuit program dogs are very special and offer a sense of calm and protection to kids who must testify in courtrooms. US courts now recognize the need for such measures when trauma is present, and therapy dogs are a great resource.

More on Karl

While every therapy dog is special, Karl is unique because he’s deaf. In fact, the deafness is an excellent asset. He can’t react to courtroom noises since he can’t hear, so he focuses solely on the person he’s comforting.

Collected and Calm

Karl offers a calm demeanor each time, so he’s popular with the children he works with. His size also helps them feel protected and safe. Sometimes, he dresses in silly outfits while in the courtroom to put these kids at ease.

A Challenge

It was hard to train Karl as a therapy dog because he was deaf. Joanne, his trainer, had trained three other boxers before she adopted Karl, though she hadn’t worked with a deaf dog. He required different training since he couldn’t hear commands.

The Solution

Joanne came up with a creative way to help Karl follow commands. He learned American Sign Language, so his orders got signed to him! He excelled in his work because he could finally understand what he was supposed to do!

Enjoying Life

Karl is considered a special-needs dog, but he overcame his difficulties and enjoys his life as a therapy dog. In fact, he loves to bring joy to children, seniors, and everyone else. Plus, his disability makes him an excellent courtroom therapy dog!

Offering a Helping Paw

Therapy dogs within the K-9 circuit are there to help sad people deal with things more easily. They give courage to kids testifying in court. That way, they can say what they must without being scared or upset.

A Little Girl’s Encounter

Certain things should never happen to little girls. One young girl knew that the man who did her wrong was likely to be in the courtroom, and she was scared about seeing him. Therefore, Karl came to the rescue to help her feel safe.

One Problem

Karl faced one significant problem while working. Most children didn’t understand sign language, so they couldn’t communicate with him. Joanne realized that and came up with a great idea to resolve that issue.

A Hand Signal

Karl was very popular in the courtroom and became a better therapy dog when Joanne taught him a special hand signal. Children believed they had a secret code to use with Karl when they used that signal. Therefore, he could save the day on many occasions.

Therapy Dogs in the Courtroom

It’s encouraged to use therapy dogs in the courtroom, especially when young victims must testify. One girl seriously required a therapy dog. Then, she turned to Joanne, Karl’s trainer, and asked her something that rocked her to the core.

The Difficult Case

This young girl’s case was a very difficult one, and she asked Joanne if Karl could protect her. In fact, she was afraid of everything after dealing with the man who hurt her. That’s why Karl was a crucial asset.

Nervousness

Karl sat with this young girl throughout the depositions and prep sessions. It gave her the courage she needed to speak up about her situation, even though it was scary. When she entered the courtroom, she froze, becoming afraid to face the guy.

The Hero

Quickly, the girl signed to Karl, and he came to sit by her. This brought her comfort and security, which she needed at that point. Karl sat close, and she ran her feet down his fur to give her strength to tell her story.

A Support System

The young girl started testifying with Karl by her side, and he never left. That’s why she got through the whole trial with no problems. All of that preparation paid off. However, no one expected what happened afterward.

A Huge Difference

Karl’s story and what he did during her trial spread online like wildfire, reaching millions across the globe. Everyone loved what he had done for that young lady. In fact, it brought awareness for the program he was part of.

Outside Help

When the trial finished, Karl offered support to other children who had to testify. However, he doesn’t disappear from their lives when the trial is over. He continues providing support outside of the courtroom.

A Hero

Karl travels through life without realizing he’s a hero to the many children he helps. He’s a therapy dog in courtrooms and does his job the best way he can. In fact, his disability hadn’t prevented him from doing what he loves most.

Not Just His Job

Karl doesn’t treat children as patients to help. He just acts like they are his friends while in the courtroom. The little girl got plenty of security and comfort from Karl, but he got affection and love from her, and that’s all any dog wants!

All Therapy Dogs

Every therapy dog wants attention and love, and that’s true for all pets. However, therapy dogs are special since they offer companionship and security to those in need. Here, you can see Boomer helping his friend at Dependency Court.

Judges Too

Therapy dogs don’t just help people who must testify in court. They can also assist judges, as they work hard and long hours. Sometimes, it’s good to get cuddles from a friendly therapy dog. Judge Latimore has a few new friends!

Bring Joy

In a sense, therapy dogs aren’t working animals. They become friends that children need when dealing with a stressful situation, such as testifying in a court case. Dupont is another K-9 therapy dog, and he’s helping in Dependency Court!

The Morning Shift

Therapy dogs work at all hours to offer support to people in need. Some like the afternoon shift better, but others are early risers. However, they never miss a chance to bring light and love to someone’s day!

Making a Difference

All therapy dogs in the community make a significant difference to those around them, and they don’t even know it! Here are Dupont and Essie, who get to relax after a day of making a difference and spreading love.

The Perks on the Job

The best part of the job for the Companion of Courage team is that they get tons of love and attention while working. These dogs work with seniors and children and aren’t shy about showering others with happiness.

Worker of the Month

You can’t have only one therapy dog of the month since they are all amazing at their jobs. It doesn’t matter to them, though, because they don’t care about those things. They just want the people around them to be safe!

Waiting Patiently

Courtrooms have a lot of waiting time, so it’s crucial to be patient. Here is Karl, who understands that very well. He’s taught himself to sit on a bench and wait until his friends can arrive to see him.

The Full Team

This program has flourished over the years and has many therapy dogs. That means they can help more people than ever before. Because of Karl’s work, more programs have opened up to help kids across the nation!

Karl’s Impact

That little girl succeeded in giving her testimony, so the man who wronged her got a conviction, allowing justice to be served. He’s now in prison and can’t hurt her or anyone else. It was all thanks to one deaf therapy dog called Karl!

Meet Bella

Bella is a Doberman Pinscher, and she’s calm, loyal, and loves attention. In fact, she’s one of the K-9 circuit program dogs and helps offer reassurance and security to kids who have to testify in courtrooms.

Boomer

Boom is also a therapy dog within the K-9 circuit program. He’s a Poodle/Sheltie mix and was a therapy dog long before joining this program. He even assists adult education classes to help other dogs become therapy dogs!

Daisy-Mai

Daisy-Mai is a cutie that has been a therapy dog from 2011 onward. She’s a pedigree Pomeranian and is on the Pet Therapy team for Arnold Palmer Hospital and Nemours Children’s Hospital in Orlando.

Kenai

Kenai is actually a rescued American Atika who had tough times as a puppy. However, his life is now much better, and he helps make other people’s lives easier. He absolutely adores getting belly rubs from his friends!

Tilley

Matilda is her full name, and that means “mighty in battle.” It’s quite fitting because she was abandoned and sick as a puppy. However, she got nursed back to health and is a hero to the many people she visits.

Essie

Essie is actually a mixed breed born in 2012 who had to get rescued. Because she’s a therapy dog, she’s met many people and loves them all. Her favorite thing is helping her community by being in the Companions for Courage program.

Josie

Josie was first rescued in 2008 before becoming a therapy dog. She got trained and started providing support for others. In fact, she has logged over 2,000 hours of helping seniors, kids, and anyone else who needs her!

Maverick

Maverick is a Golden-Doodle who was born in 2014 and became certified as a therapy dog. He enjoys going around to schools and nursing homes to meet others, showing his fluffy fur to get as many hugs as he can!