Media Advisory:
Courthouse Dog and Child Witness Pilot Program

The Courthouse Dog and Child Witness Pilot Program is now available in Anne Arundel County and Harford County circuit courts. This pilot program allows facility and therapy dogs to accompany child witnesses who are testifying or appearing in court in criminal or civil cases. More than 10 teams of trained facility dogs and their handlers will attend a ceremony on Thursday, Feb. 8, and meet Maryland Court of Appeals Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera, Judge Laura Kiessling, Administrative Judge for the Fifth Judicial Circuit (Anne Arundel, Carroll, and Howard counties), State Court Administrator Pamela Harris, and State Sen. Bryan Simonaire, R-District 31. Following opening remarks, the facility dogs and their handlers will take a short tour of the courthouse.

WHO: Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera, Maryland Court of Appeals
Judge Laura Kiessling, Administrative Judge for the Fifth Judicial Circuit (Anne Arundel, Carroll, and Howard counties)
Pamela Harris, State Court Administrator
State Sen. Bryan Simonaire, R-District 31

WHAT: Courthouse Dog and Child Witness Pilot Program

WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 8, at 3 p.m.

WHERE: Anne Arundel County Circuit Court, 8 Church Circle, Annapolis

NOTE: If you plan on attending this event, RSVP to the Maryland Judiciary’s Government Relations and Public Affairs Division by email at [email protected].
Anne Arundel County Circuit Court does not have reserved parking, so members of the media should plan to find on-street parking near the courthouse. You can also find general parking at the Whitmore Garage, located at 37 Clay St., and Gotts Court Garage, located at 25 Calvert St., in Annapolis.

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