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The HERO program is a statewide Certified Facility Dog Program to assist in helping victims and/or witnesses throughout the criminal justice process.  HERO – Help Empower Restore Overcome – program began as a result of one facility dog making a difference across Alabama. Facility dog Willow began working in the criminal justice system in May 2014. The impact she made was profound. As a result of her work, Alabama’s Office of Prosecution Services (OPS) submitted a grant application to the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) that would fund the work of facility dogs and their handlers across the state. The VOCA (Victims of Crime Act) grant was funded and is utilized to ensure that every victim in Alabama has access to the use of a facility dog if they desire to use a Facility Dog.   Alabama currently has 13 facility dogs working across the state.

Why use a Facility Dog for the criminal justice process?

Frequently people, especially children, who have been victims of crime or who have witnessed a crime of violence are emotionally affected and traumatized by those events. They are often reluctant to disclose and, during the trial, they are often re-traumatized by those events. They have to describe, in detail, what happened to them in front of a courtroom full of strangers. Creating a comfortable atmosphere for the victim and/or witness is important for the prosecution and the defense. When the victim/witness is comfortable, emotions may not obstruct or slow down testimony, the victim and/or witness may be able to recall more details and information and be able to answer questions from the prosecution and defense, allowing justice to be served in each case.

Who is Fitzgerald?

Facility Dog Fitzgerald, also known as Fitz, was one of eight puppies born to his mother on August 3, 2017. Fitz was born in Santa Rosa, California and raised and professionally trained in Dallas, Texas.  

Fitz was placed with his hander, Tonya Willingham, in August, 2019 by Canine Companions.  Canine Companions determined that Fitz’s temperament was best suited to work in a public setting and placed him with Willingham, a former Assistant District Attorney with the 18th Judicial Circuit in Columbiana, Alabama.  Tonya is Fitz’s Certified Handler. 

Tonya has been working in the criminal justice systems since 2004, (4 years as an APOST certified Police Officer in Alabaster, Alabama, 13 years as an Assistant District Attorney with the 18th Judicial Circuit and as Certified Facility Dog Handler since 2019) and is familiar with court policies and procedures.  Canine Companions provided Tonya, with two weeks of intensive training at their campus in Irving, Texas on the role of the Certified Facility Dog and Certified Handler.  

 After this training, Willingham and Fitz passed a public access test that is identical to the one required for service dogs. Canine Companions certified through the public access test that Willingham and Fitz’s presence in a public setting would not create a public hazard.  After completing the extensive training and the public access test, Willingham and Fitz received a facility dog team permit from CC.

• Child Abuse- physical or sexual
• Domestic Violence
• Murder/Capital Murder
• Assault

Fitz’s presence can provide a calming atmosphere for the families of a Murder victim during the court process.  He has provided comfort for several families for pre-trial hearings, trial and sentencing in Murder or Capital Murder cases.  In other crimes of violence, as mentioned above, Fitz can sit with the victim and/or witness during pre-trial hearings, at their feet when they testify at trial, throughout the course of the trial and also at sentencing if the defendant is found guilty.

How to request Fitz if you are victim/witness or family of a victim in Shelby County:

If you think you or your family member could benefit from having Fitz present with you throughout the court process, please let your victim service officer (VSO) know that you would like to have him present during the court process.  You can also let the prosecuting Assistant District Attorney know at any point of the process.