2026 International Courthouse Dogs Conference: Full Schedule

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11:30am PDT

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

Thursday October 8, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT

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.

Thursday October 8, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Canoe Room

Breakout Sessions

11:30am PDT

Fit for Duty: Keeping Your Facility Dog Healthy, Happy, and Working

Thursday October 8, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT

Coal Harbour A Ballroom

Your facility dog shows up for everyone else — this session is about showing up for them.

Dr. Irene O'Brien, a veterinarian with firsthand understanding of the demands placed on working dogs, brings a practitioner's lens to one of the most important — and sometimes overlooked — aspects of running a successful facility dog program: the health and welfare of the dog at the center of it all.

From recognizing the subtle signs of stress and fatigue to understanding the physical demands of high-volume justice work, Dr. O'Brien will share practical, actionable tips that handlers can take home and put to use immediately. Topics will touch on routine wellness, stress indicators, the importance of recovery time, and how to be your dog's best advocate within your organization and with your veterinary team.

Speakers

Dr. Irene O'Brien

Owner, Scottsdale Veterinary Hospital

Dr. Irene O'Brien graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan with distinction. She is an owner of Scottsdale Veterinary Hospital in Surrey, B.C. and has been enjoying the challenges of small animal medicine and surgery for more than... Read More →

Thursday October 8, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Coal Harbour A Ballroom

Breakout Sessions

11:30am PDT

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

Thursday October 8, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT

Seymour

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

Thursday October 8, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Seymour

Breakout Sessions

11:30am PDT

Your Voice, Our Roadmap: Shaping the Future of Facility Dog Research

Thursday October 8, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT

Cypress Room

The most important research questions don't always come from a laboratory — they come from the field. From the handlers, program administrators, and justice professionals who live this work every day and know firsthand where the gaps are, where the uncertainty lives, and what answers would make the biggest difference.

In this session, Dr. Jennifer Thompson facilitates a structured conversation designed to do exactly that — gather handler perspectives to help shape CDF's future research priorities and educational agenda. What do you wish the science could tell you? What questions come up in your work that no one has yet answered? Where do you need more evidence to make your case?

Your insight matters. This session is your opportunity to help set the direction — and to ensure that future conferences, curriculum, and research efforts reflect what handlers and programs actually need.
Come with your questions, your gaps, and your ideas. This one is for you.

Speakers