When Trio comes into work at the Sarpy County Attorney’s office, he is all business.
The golden lab leaves the barking, playing and general tomfoolery at the door. He relaxes into a quiet, unflappable dog – barring his tail – with a job of comforting crime victims as they testify in court.
“For the majority of people who experienced or were exposed to trauma, anxiety comes along with it,” said Jean Brazda, chief of staff and Trio’s handler.
That’s what Trio is there to help with, especially for children.
Canine Companions covers all costs for Trio and his sister, Laramie, who works in the Douglas County attorney’s office. The nonprofit hosts the training for facility dogs, as well as the people who bring them into healthcare, education or law enforcement settings. Facility dogs must be calm, reliable and affectionate as they primarily work with vulnerable clients.
“If you think about a prosecutor, sometimes they come across as scary,” Brazda said. “If you’re a 7-year-old child who has come in to talk about, maybe sexual abuse, talking to someone in a suit can be intimidating, and then you have to talk to them about the worst experience in your life.”
Trio was chosen to be a facility dog because he is low energy. High-energy dogs could cause disruptions in a courtroom setting. His primary command is “down,” but he can also “shake” and “lay” across a victim’s lap, acting like a living weighted blanket.
“In a stressful situation, you start to shut down,” Brazda said. “Your ability to have a conversation or to relay information then starts to go quiet. You may feel like the walls are closing in on you, you’re having difficulty breathing. Petting the dog grounds people. The dog can feel their energy, you can feel the energy of the dog, and it’s a sense of calmness.”
He can also go “under” the witness stand where he can comfort a victim while being hidden from the jury to avoid distraction. Brazda said when Trio is working, the jury is instructed to ignore any snoring should Trio fall asleep during the proceedings.
Trio and Laramie have fairly busy schedules, Brazda said, and she ensures Trio has breaks between his meetings, depositions and trials. His favorite treat is ice cubes, which substitutes for monetary compensation. At the end of the day, Laramie and Trio, whose handlers are both county employees and married to each other, come back to the same home.
“At home, he’s a wild guy,” Brazda said. “Him and Laramie, the two of them play hard. You know when they’ve had a heavy day at work.”
Friends who have come to visit Trio and Brazda at work expect him to be playful, but are surprised when he doesn’t engage in licking or play. Brazda estimated that with all his training, Trio is worth $48,000.
Canine Companions supports dogs and volunteers in almost every state. Brazda has taken Trio on the road to present what he can do in counties across Nebraska. She hopes to answer questions and encourage counties across Nebraska to get a facility dog.
“I’m like, you guys need this in your office,” Brazda said. “It’s a crucial piece to working with crime victims.”