🐾 The Calming Power of Dogs in Difficult Interviews
When people are asked to relive traumatic experiences in an interview or legal setting, the emotional toll can be significant. At LJ Investigations, we are committed to trauma-informed practice. One powerful support tool we’ve embraced is the use of therapy dogs during sensitive interviews and meetings.
Below, we explore the science and real-world success of using support animals to help people feel calmer, safer, and more empowered to share their stories.
🧠 Dogs Reduce Stress and Promote Calm
Research shows that dogs reduce:
Cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone
Blood pressure and heart rate
And increase oxytocin, the “bonding hormone” that calms and soothes
In one clinical study, psychiatric patients who received animal-assisted therapy had significantly lower anxiety scores than those who did not (Barker & Dawson, 1998).
🌀 Emotional Regulation and Grounding
Trauma can disrupt the brain’s ability to stay calm and focused. A calm, friendly dog offers grounding through touch and companionship. This helps:
Children stay regulated during questioning
Survivors remain present and engaged
People with communication barriers feel safe to speak
As explained in trauma neuroscience, sensory experiences like petting a dog can restore calm after emotional activation (Perry & Szalavitz, 2006).
🛡️ Trauma-Informed, Survivor-Centered
The presence of a dog sends a clear message: you are safe here. This small act of care:
Helps survivors disclose difficult details
Reduces risk of emotional shutdown or dissociation
Builds trust between the interviewer and the person being supported
This is especially important in cases involving:
Harassment and sexual violence
Workplace trauma
Racial or systemic discrimination
🤝 Improves Communication and Trust
People—especially children and trauma survivors—report that dogs make it easier to talk. The animal offers:
A non-judgmental presence
Emotional buffering
Something to focus on besides their pain or shame
This has been confirmed in studies involving children disclosing abuse (Dietz et al., 2012).
⚖️ Real-Life Legal Impact: Courthouse Facility Dogs
Courts in Ontario, British Columbia, and across the U.S. now use trained facility dogs to accompany witnesses—especially in:
Sexual assault cases
Child protection hearings
Vulnerable adult interviews
These dogs are trained to remain calm, non-intrusive, and supportive. Research shows they help witnesses stay composed and testify more completely and accurately.
🌿 More Humane Interviews, Better Outcomes
Therapy dogs also ease tension for investigators, lawyers, and HR professionals. The space becomes more humane and less adversarial—allowing everyone to work more effectively.
When people feel supported, they share more clearly and authentically. That means better decisions and better justice.
💬 Final Thoughts
At LJ Investigations, we prioritize compassion without compromising professionalism. Therapy dogs may seem like a small gesture—but the emotional safety they provide is often transformative. Whether it’s a workplace harassment case or a human rights matter, our goal is always to make the process safer, calmer, and more just.
🐶 Interested in trauma-informed investigation practices?
Contact LJ Investigations to learn how we create emotionally safe spaces for interviews, mediations, and conflict resolution.
Citations:
Barker, S. B., & Dawson, K. S. (1998). Psychiatric Services, 49(6), 797–801.
Dietz, T. J., Davis, D., & Pennings, J. (2012). Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 21(6), 665–683.
McNicholas, J., & Collis, G. M. (2006). In Fine, A. (Ed.), Handbook on Animal-Assisted Therapy.
Perry, B. D., & Szalavitz, M. (2006). The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog.
Tedeschi, P., Fine, A. H., & Helgeson, J. I. (2010). Helping vulnerable populations with animal-assisted interventions.