The little girl hadn’t spoken since the night her mother was found on the kitchen floor! Then the court dog lowered his head-and she whispered one sentence toward the defense table…

The courthouse had made room for the dog before it made room for the child. A square of blue carpet lay beside the witness chair in Courtroom 6A, close enough for a small hand to reach without leaning too far. Beside it sat a metal water bowl, a folded towel, and a laminated sign the bailiff had placed on the gate: COURT FACILITY DOG WORKING — PLEASE continue reading …