• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
DuBois Cary Law Group PLLC Logo

DuBois Cary Law Group PLLC

Compassionate Legal Representation for Northwest Families, with offices in Seattle & Bellevue

Seattle
(206)547-1486
Bellevue
(425)278-9524
  • Child Custody
    • Individualized Parenting Plans
    • International Child Custody
    • Parenting Plan Modification
    • Parental Relocation & International Moves
    • Paternity Action
    • Visitation
  • Divorce
    • Common Divorce Mistakes
    • Getting Started With Your Divorce
    • Contested Divorce
    • Dividing Property
    • High Asset Divorce
    • Divorce Over 50
    • Divorce for Men
    • Spousal Maintenance (Alimony)
  • Divorce Alternatives
    • Divorce Rescue 911
    • Mediation
    • The Amicable Divorce Process
    • Collaborative Divorce
    • Legal Coaching
  • Estate Planning, Wills & Probate
    • Estate Planning After Divorce
    • Estate Planning for Unmarried Couples
    • Estate Planning: Wills & Probate Glossary
  • Family Law for Unmarried Couples
    • Cohabitation Agreements
    • Prenuptial Agreements
  • Client Resources
    • Listen to our Radio Shows
      • The Divorce Process
        • Divorce 101: How to Get the Process Started
        • How To Handle the Physical Stress of Divorce
        • Temporary Orders & Motions: What Happens Between Separation & Final Divorce Papers
        • How to Choose a Divorce Attorney
        • How to Settle Your Divorce
        • Everything You Need to Know About Going to Trial in A Divorce
        • What You Need to Know About Divorce Mediation & Alternative Dispute Resolution
        • Divorce Issues That Might Surprise You
      • Child Custody & Child Support Issues
        • Children & Divorce: Kids Need Time with Dad
        • What About the Kids: How Courts View Divorce, Child Custody & Parenting Plans
        • Kids & Divorce: Parenting Plans & Residential Schedules
        • International Custody & Immigration Issues: An Interview With Shannon Underwood
        • The Ins & Outs of Child Support
      • Divorce & The Older Person
        • Divorce After 50 (Silver Divorce)
        • Silver Divorce & Women’s Health After 50
      • Divorce & Real Estate Issues
        • Divorce & How it Affects Real Estate: An Interview with Heidi Bateman
      • Divorce & Finance
        • Money & Finances During Divorce: An Interview with Karen Ramsey
      • Divorce & Work Issues
        • Employment Law & Divorce with Guest Sean Phelan
      • Post-Divorce Issues
        • Long Distance Parenting
    • Recommended Reading
    • Case Studies in Family Law, Divorce & Child Custody
  • Our Firm
    • Amanda DuBois
    • Monica Kaup Cary
    • Lucia Ramirez Levias
    • Desirée Good
    • Mei Shih
    • Jessica Rullman
    • Freya Wormus
    • Our Paralegals
    • Committed to Personal Service
  • Contact Us
    • Seattle Office Directions
    • Bellevue – Redmond Office Directions
  • Show Search
Hide Search
Home/Community Involvement/Ellie the Courthouse Dog Helps Children Through Divorce
Ellie the Courthouse Dog

Ellie the Courthouse Dog Helps Children Through Divorce

If you’ve ever been to court – or even just been called for jury duty – you know that it takes time and energy, and it really can make a person nervous. The courthouse can provoke anxiety in even the steeliest person. Now imagine you’ve been the victim of a violent crime and have to testify against your attacker. Or you’re a child who has to answer questions from a police officer or detective. Fortunately, love and a non-judgmental presence are now in court to help–in the form of dogs like Ellie, court house dog extraordinaire!

Ellie, a lab, golden retriever mix, lounges in the King County Court House halls and loves to be petted by anyone passing by, but when she gets into the courtroom she’s all business. Ellie is a victim assistance dog and it’s her job to provide comfort to children and vulnerable crime victims going through the court process. She also provides love to just about anyone walking by her willing to reach down and give her a nuzzle.

Ellie is the first facility dog in the country to be formally placed at a prosecutor’s office. Much like service dogs for the blind, these amazing canines go through extensive training in order to fill a role that helps vulnerable children and adults. In the courtroom they help crime victims and children to feel calmer, stronger and more in control.

Here at DuBois Cary we are lucky enough to have met Ellie, who is so famous she’s been written up in USAToday, the New York Times and Bark Magazine! Ellie lives with DuBois Cary attorney Michelle Fontenot and her partner, deputy prosecuting attorney, Page Ulrey. Since we specialize in family law and estate planning, we are particularly pleased to know Ellie. And Ellie is the on the cutting edge of a movement that is gaining momentum.

The idea of using dogs to ease the tension of being in a courtroom is gaining popularity across the country. Courthousedogs.com began in Seattle and now the practice is spreading across the country to courts in Texas, California, Florida, Missouri and Michigan and many more. There are currently at least 34 court dogs working in more than 17 states.

For a consultation with one of our attorneys about a child custody or a general divorce or family law matter, please call (206) 547-1486.

Written by:
Michelle Fontenot
Published on:
December 6, 2013

Categories: Community Involvement, Family Law, Kids and DivorceTags: DuBois Cary Law Group, Ellie the Courthouse Dog, kids and divorce

DuBois Cary Law Group

Footer

The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established.

Copyright DuBois Cary Law Group PLLC © 2021 · · Log in

WSAJ Eagle Member