Facility dogs are expertly trained to assist young adults and children, providing quiet, non-judgemental support and unconditional acceptance. Trained to work in a variety of settings, including the justice system, health and social care, educational settings and therapeutic environments, these dogs have been proven to reduce stress and anxiety, create a comfortable environment and enable vulnerable people to communicate effectively.

Working in collaboration with Nottingham Police and Justice Support Dogs International, this project investigated practical ways to better support vulnerable people during the police interview process. Using facility dogs to engage young people and vulnerable adults, the research evidenced an innovative and effective way to create a safe environment for vulnerable people and build a rapport, enabling them to communicate more openly during the interview process. This research was the first of its kind, globally, to empirically evaluate these practices and find an evidence base for the effective use of facility dogs in supporting vulnerable people.

The impact of this award-winning research has led to national and international changes to the policies and practices used to support vulnerable people in the criminal justice system and advancements in the educational and training standards of facility dogs working with legal professionals