Judicial Services Report 2016, 225th Anniversary Edition

Court Facility Dog: Hamlet

Hamlet is a facility dog utilized by the Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas and handled by Adult Probation and Pa- role Services. His role is to work primarily with participants of the Veterans’ Court and Mental Health Court programs. Par- ticipants of these programs experience serious mental illness, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), addiction, or a com- bination. The goal is to lessen their stress and anxiety during activities such as court appearances before the judges and office visits with probation officers or other outside supports/resources. With decreased anxiety, participants may be more comfortable being honest, open, and forthcoming with court officials and members of their support system thus allowing these entities to better determine what treatment and resources are needed; this will potentially allow for more effective progression through both the program and their mental health and/or substance abuse recovery. Hamlet is also utilized in the Adult Probation office outside of the Treatment Courts. In this capacity, Hamlet spends time with clients in the office while they meet with their probation officer; by lowering their stress and anxiety the probation officer is able to conduct a more productive, supportive, and goal-oriented appointment. Hamlet is wonderful with children and is used to interact with them so their parent can focus on the meeting with their probation officer .