Two service dogs play an important role in the courtroom, even as they are invisible to most.

Daniel Dreifuss here. I love dogs, especially my dog Rio Oso Puppyface. She’s very sweet and loves everyone, and is an expert squirrel chaser.

Dogs play an important role for humans beyond companionship. They can be a very therapeutic asset in someone’s life. And for someone going through a traumatic experience, dogs can really help them get through this time.

For this week’s cover story in the Weekly, I spent time with service dogs and their handlers in the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office. The dogs have been certified by the Canine Companions for Independence program, a national nonprofit organization that provides trained service dogs to institutions like courts and health care facilities, and to people with disabilities or veterans.

At the Monterey County DA, yellow labs Armani and Norma Jeane comfort victims or witnesses in the office, and even can gain access, with a judge’s approval, to lie under the witness stand during testimony in a trial. A witness may place their feet on or under the animal for comfort, and the dog is trained to stay totally still and silent—no barking or growling gives their presence away to the jury.

When I met the dogs, I found Armani to have a very low temperate but be very sweet, while Norma Jeane was more playful and wanted to play games.

You can read more about the dogs and the program by checking out the story.