2026 International Courthouse Dogs Conference: Full Schedule

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8:00am PDT

Registration

Wednesday October 7, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am PDT

Coast Coal Harbour Vancouver Hotel by APA

Wednesday October 7, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am PDT
Coast Coal Harbour Vancouver Hotel by APA 1180 W Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V6E 4R5, Canada

Administration / Announcements

9:00am PDT

Conference Chair Welcome

Wednesday October 7, 2026 9:00am - 9:15am PDT

Welcome from Conference Co-Chairs Sue Baker & Kim Gramlich.

Speakers

Sue Baker

Manager, Victim Services, Vancouver Police Department

Wednesday October 7, 2026 9:00am - 9:15am PDT

Administration / Announcements

9:15am PDT

Indigenous Elder Welcome & Blessing

Wednesday October 7, 2026 9:15am - 9:30am PDT

Coal Harbour Ballroom

The opening land acknowledgment and blessing at the 2026 International Courthouse Dogs® Conference is made possible through the generous support of the Vancouver Police Foundation. We are grateful for their partnership in honoring the traditions of the land on which we gather for this special conference.

Speakers

Elder Dennis Joseph

Squamish Nation

Xwechtaal Dennis Joseph is an Elder Statesman from the Squamish Nation where he served on Chiefs and Council for 28 years and worked there for 40. He is the first Indigenous person in Canada to be appointed via legislature to a Police Board at West Vancouver. A volunteer co-founder... Read More →

Wednesday October 7, 2026 9:15am - 9:30am PDT
Coal Harbour Ballroom

Mainstage

9:30am PDT

KEYNOTE: From Survivor to Advocate: Transforming Trauma into Justice and Empowerment

Wednesday October 7, 2026 9:30am - 10:30am PDT

Coal Harbour Ballroom

Kara Robinson Chamberlain is one of the most compelling survivor advocates of our time. At age 15, Kara was abducted from her front yard in Columbia, South Carolina and held captive for 18 hours before making a daring escape. Rather than letting that experience define her as a victim, she transformed it into a lifelong commitment to justice, advocacy, and the empowerment of survivors everywhere. Her story has reached millions — through television, speaking engagements, and her own advocacy work — and her voice continues to inspire those who work on the front lines of trauma every day.
We are honored to welcome Kara to Vancouver as our opening keynote speaker for the 2026 International Courthouse Dogs® Conference.
The opening keynote at the 2026 International Courthouse Dogs® Conference is made possible through the generous support of the Vancouver Police Foundation. We are grateful for their partnership in bringing this extraordinary voice to our stage.

Speakers

Kara Robinson Chamberlain

I never set out to become a public speaker—but my story made sure I wouldn’t stay silent.

In 2002, at age 15, I was kidnapped from a friend’s front yard at gunpoint. For 18 hours, I gathered every detail I could while enduring the unthinkable, and when I escaped, I gave law enforcement the information that identified my captor—a man responsible for the murders of at

... Read More →

Wednesday October 7, 2026 9:30am - 10:30am PDT
Coal Harbour Ballroom

Keynote, Opening

10:50am PDT

A Province at a Time: How Quebec Built a Government-Backed Justice Dog Program

Wednesday October 7, 2026 10:50am - 11:50am PDT

Coal Harbour Ballroom

Speakers

Charlotte Moses-Bélanger

Clinical Counselour, Mira Foundation

Charlotte Moses Bélanger is a clinical counselor holding a master’s degree in psychoeducation with nearly two decades of experience with the Mira Foundation, where she has been involved since 2008.

She has developed a strong understanding of the different stages in the life cycle of assistance dogs, from selection and training to matching, active service, and retirement, as well as their meaningful impact on beneficiaries.She specializes in project evaluation and in supporting... Read More →

Wednesday October 7, 2026 10:50am - 11:50am PDT
Coal Harbour Ballroom

Mainstage

11:50am PDT

Conference Group Photo

Wednesday October 7, 2026 11:50am - 12:00pm PDT

Capture group photo with all of our conference attendees.

Wednesday October 7, 2026 11:50am - 12:00pm PDT

Administration / Announcements

12:00pm PDT

Day 1 Lunch

Wednesday October 7, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT

Coal Harbour A Foyer

Wednesday October 7, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Coal Harbour A Foyer

Lunch

1:00pm PDT

Purpose-Bred Dogs: The Case, the Challenges, and the Future of Supply

Wednesday October 7, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm PDT

Coal Harbour Ballroom

The facility dog model depends on a pipeline of exceptional animals — dogs bred, raised, and trained for the specific demands of justice work. In this session, Jackie Clark explores what purpose-bred dogs offer that other placements cannot: more predictable temperament and health, the ability to match a dog to an agency's specific needs, advance planning for retirement and succession, and the capacity to scale as demand grows.
As the justice facility dog model continues to grow, so too does the conversation around supply, demand, and the evolving landscape of dog placement. Jackie will explore some of the broader challenges facing the industry today — and what opportunities they present for accredited programs to strengthen their position, tell their story more effectively, and meet the growing need.
A candid, forward-looking session for handlers, program administrators, and anyone who cares about the long-term health of the justice facility dog movement.

Speakers

Jackie Clark

Co-Founder, Working Dog Innovations

Wednesday October 7, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm PDT
Coal Harbour Ballroom

Mainstage

1:50pm PDT

PANEL: Trained for This: How ADI Programs Prepare Facility Dogs for Justice Work

Wednesday October 7, 2026 1:50pm - 2:45pm PDT

Coal Harbour Ballroom

Trained for This: How ADI-Accredited Programs Prepare Facility Dogs for Justice Work A panel moderated by Kim Gramlich, Justice Facility Dogs Canada
Panelists: Charlotte Moses-Bélanger, Clinic Counselor, MIRA Foundation · Geneviève Deschênes, Canine Instructor & Training Coordinator MIRA Foundation · Courtney Starr, Head Instructor, Lions Foundation for the Blind · Jacob Rodgers, Senior Manager Client Care, PADS · Cat Barrette, Apprentice Trainer, PADS

It all begins before a puppy takes its first steps. Intentional breeding — selecting the right lineage, temperament, and drive from the very start — is the foundation upon which every exceptional facility dog is built. This panel — comprised of representatives from three of North America's leading ADI-accredited placing organizations — will pull back the curtain on what it truly takes to prepare a dog for the unique demands of justice work.
Moderated by Kim Gramlich, President of Justice Facility Dogs Canada and a handler herself, the conversation will follow the arc of a facility dog's development: from intentional breeding and early socialization, through the specialized training that prepares dogs for courtrooms, forensic interviews, and crisis settings, to what placing organizations look for when partnering with a new program. Panelists will also speak to the realities of supply, the growing demand for qualified dogs, and how accredited programs are working to meet the need.
This session is designed to be a conversation — not just a presentation. Attendees are encouraged to bring their questions, and dedicated time will be reserved for open Q&A with the panelists. Come with your questions — this is your chance to hear directly from the organizations behind the dogs.

Speakers

Charlotte Moses-Bélanger

Clinical Counselour, Mira Foundation

Catherine Barrette

Apprentice Trainer, Pacific Assistance Dogs Society (PADS)

Geneviève Deschênes

Canine Instructor + Training Coordinator, MIRA Foundation

I have been a Dog Trainer and Guide Dog Mobility Instructor since 2014 with a diverse background working not only with dogs, but also with people, horses, and even camels.

Throughout my career at Fondation Mira, I have had the privilege of learning from several master dog trainers and developing my expertise through a variety of specialized training programs. My experience includes training autism assistance dogs for children, service dogs for individuals... Read More →

Kim Gramlich

Courtney Starr

Head Instructor - Autism Assistance Dog Guide Program and Facility Support Dog Program, Lions Foundation of Canada/ Dog Guides

Jacob Rodgers

Senior Manager, Client Care, Pacific Assistance Dogs Society (PADS)

Wednesday October 7, 2026 1:50pm - 2:45pm PDT
Coal Harbour Ballroom

Panel Discussion

3:00pm PDT

Budgeting for Your Facility Dog Program: From Day One to Retirement

Wednesday October 7, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

Canoe Room

Sustaining a facility dog program takes more than passion — it takes community. Sarah Grabner knows this firsthand. As a handler, Victim Assistance Supervisor, and CDF's Oregon State Liaison, she has built a grassroots funding approach that meets people where they are — civic groups, tabling events, speaking engagements, conferences, and everything in between.

In this session, Sarah shares the practical strategies she has developed for engaging her community, building local awareness, and converting that goodwill into real support for her program. From planning for the long game — including the often-overlooked costs of aging and retirement — to finding the donors, partners, and advocates already waiting in your community, Sarah's approach is practical, replicable, and grounded in what actually works.

Whether you are just starting to think about funding or looking to diversify and grow what you already have, this session will give you a toolkit you can take home and put to work immediately.

Speakers

Sarah Grabner

Victim Assistance Supervisor, Clackamas County District Attorney's Office

Dogs Attending

Nacho IV

Canine Companions, Clackamas County DA

Clackamas County (OR) District Attorney’s Office Courthouse Facility Dog; trained by Canine Companions.

Wednesday October 7, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Canoe Room

Breakout Sessions

3:00pm PDT

Building a Facility Dog Culture: The Long Game

Wednesday October 7, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

Coal Harbor B Ballroom

Some programs survive. Gina Yeager's thrives — and has for nearly two decades, across three generations of facility dogs.

As Victim Services Coordinator for the Fifth Judicial District DA's Office in Roswell, New Mexico, Gina has built something rare: an organization where facility dogs are not a program feature but a foundational expectation. New Victim Advocates must be willing to handle a dog — it is written into every job posting. Incoming prosecutors are onboarded with facility dog protocols from day one. And an independent nonprofit ensures the program is never at the mercy of a government budget cycle.

In this session, Gina shares the philosophy, the practical strategies, and the hard-won lessons behind a program that has not just survived leadership transitions, budget pressures, and organizational change — but rather grown stronger through all of it. She will explore what it means to embed a facility dog so deeply into the culture of an organization and community that its absence becomes unthinkable.

If you want your program to still be here decades from now — and thriving — this is the session for you.

Speakers

Gina Yeager

Victim Services Coordinator, Fifth Judicial District DA Office

Gina Yeager is the Victim Services Coordinator, Violence Prevention Program Coordinator, and Court Facility Dog Coordinator for the Fifth Judicial District DA's Office in Chaves County, New Mexico. A third-generation facility dog handler, Gina has spent more than a decade building one of th... Read More →

Wednesday October 7, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Coal Harbor B Ballroom

Breakout Sessions

3:00pm PDT

Heart Work: A Facilitated Discussion on Self-Care for Facility Dog Handlers

Wednesday October 7, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

Cypress Room

This work is hard. You show up for survivors, witnesses, and victims on their worst days — and you do it with grace, professionalism, and a dog by your side. But who shows up for you?

In this facilitated group discussion, Katie Gray — founder of the Empowered Heart Foundation and a passionate advocate for handler wellness — creates a space for honest conversation about the emotional weight of this work and the self-care practices that make it sustainable. Drawing on her expertise and the lived experience in the room, Katie will guide participants through a candid exploration of what it means to care for yourself so you can continue to care for others.

This is not a lecture. It is a conversation — one where the collective wisdom and experience of handlers in the room is as valuable as anything on the agenda. Come ready to connect, share, and leave with something real to carry forward.

Speakers

Katie Gray

President, The Empowered Heart® Foundation

Wednesday October 7, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Cypress Room

Breakout Sessions

3:00pm PDT

Paws, Posts & Presence: Building Your Program's Visual Story

Wednesday October 7, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

Coal Harbour A Ballroom

Your facility dog is one of the most compelling storytellers in the room — and your social media presence should be too. In this session, Kim Gramlich, President of Justice Facility Dogs Canada and the creative force behind the beloved Paws with Puma channels, shares what she has learned building an authentic, engaging social media presence that goes far beyond cute dog photos.
From Instagram to Facebook to LinkedIn, Kim will walk attendees through the art of building a visual story that captures the heart of this work — one that resonates with potential donors, raises community awareness, and opens doors to partnerships and support. Along the way she'll tackle one of every black dog handler's favorite challenges: how to actually capture your dog on camera when they have a talent for disappearing into the shadows. Spoiler — lighting, angles, and a little patience go a long way.
Whether your program has zero social media presence or a following you're ready to grow, this session will leave you with practical tools, fresh ideas, and a new appreciation for the story only your dog can tell.

Speakers

Kim Gramlich

Dogs Attending

Puma

PADS, Delta Police

I am a Justice Facility Dog, supporting victims of crime and trauma at Delta Police Victim Services. 🐾🚔

Instagram Profile

Wednesday October 7, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Coal Harbour A Ballroom

Breakout Sessions

3:00pm PDT

Sparked: One Handler's Journey and What It Takes to Start a New Program

Wednesday October 7, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

Seymour

Every facility dog program begins with a moment — a story heard, a dog witnessed at work, a conviction that this is something your community needs. For Heather Martin, that spark came from another handler, and what followed was a journey of research, persistence, advocacy, and ultimately, a thriving new program in Castle Rock, Colorado.

In this session, Heather shares her story — not just as inspiration, but as a roadmap. Whether you are in the early stages of research, actively building the case for a program in your community, or looking to become an advocate who helps others start programs of their own, Heather's experience offers something for every stage of the journey.

From navigating institutional buy-in to finding the right placing organization, understanding the CDF resources available to you, and building the community support that makes a program sustainable — this is the session for anyone who has ever thought, "we need one of these where I live."

Come with your questions. Heather started exactly where you are.

Speakers

Heather Martin

Court Supervisor II, Douglas (CO) County Courthouse

Hi, I'm Heather! I have worked for the Colorado Judicial Branch for 15 years in various roles including clerking for judges, in the Clerk of Court's office, and am now a Supervisor overseeing many different areas of the court. It was while working in a Dependency and Neglect docket... Read More →

Wednesday October 7, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Seymour

Breakout Sessions

4:00pm PDT

The Science of the Bond: What Research Tells Us About Dogs, Stress, and Human Healing in High-Stakes Settings

Wednesday October 7, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT

Coal Harbour Ballroom

We know it when we see it — a child's shoulders drop, a witness takes a breath, a survivor finds words they couldn't find before. But what is actually happening in those moments? Science is beginning to tell us.

Dr. Kerri Rodriguez, one of the world's leading researchers in human-animal interaction, closes Day 1 with a session that gives the justice facility dog community something powerful: the evidence to match the instinct. As Director of the HAB Lab at the University of Arizona, Dr. Rodriguez has spent her career investigating the measurable impacts of the human-animal bond — from stress buffering and trauma recovery to the wellbeing of both the humans and animals in these partnerships.

Drawing on her extensive body of research — work that has been featured in the BBC, Washington Post, National Geographic, People Magazine, and beyond — Dr. Rodriguez will explore what the science tells us about dogs in high-stakes settings, what we still don't know, and why that research matters for the future of the justice facility dog model.
For handlers who have always known this work changes lives, this session will give you the language, the data, and the confidence to say exactly why.

Speakers