KENT COUNTY, MI - In a pilot project, West Michigan Therapy Dogs will provide support dogs to help children involved in the Kent County court system.

"We've wanted a program like this in Kent County for years, and I believe it will make going to court so much better for the kids who need to be here, whether they are involved in a criminal case or a custody dispute," Kent County Circuit Judge Kathleen Feeney said.

She said she has worked with West Michigan Therapy Dogs before and thinks they will be a "perfect fit."

The therapy dogs - there are 22, along with their handlers - will work at the Kent County Courthouse downtown, and at 63rd District Court on East Beltline Avenue NE near Knapp Street, to begin with. They are intended to offer comfort to children and vulnerable adults who are testifying or talking with prosecutors.

Therapy dogs have been used in other court systems and help provide a distraction for children in stressful situations.

"The biggest problem we had here is the number of different courts, and different court locations that we may have to cover on a specific day," Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker said.

"Working with West Michigan Therapy Dogs is the best way to solve this problem, and I don't think there is a partnership quite like this anywhere in the State of Michigan."

The dogs are trained to work in courtrooms but will mostly be with young victims before and after they go to court. Proponents say that calming young victims and witnesses will help improve memory and provide more accurate testimony.

The volunteer therapy teams have undergone training at both courts involved in the project. One of the therapy dogs has already been used with a child in court.

Becker said he hoped that therapy dogs would eventually be available in all Kent County courts.