A. It is the intent of the Oklahoma Legislature in enacting this section to recognize the special circumstances and needs of a child witness during criminal court proceedings, and to protect the child witness from any unnecessary emotional discomfort or anguish.
§ 2611.12.Support Person Or Therapeutic Dog
Chapter 40: Oklahoma Evidence Code · Last amended November 1, 2022 · Last verified August 3, 2026
In one sentenceGives a child witness in a criminal proceeding the right to be accompanied by a support person, or a certified therapeutic dog and its handler in lieu of one, while testifying, and defines "certified therapeutic dog," "child witness," and "support person."
Full Text of § 2611.12
B. In any criminal proceeding, a child witness shall have the right to be accompanied by a support person while giving testimony in the proceeding, but the support person shall not discuss the testimony of the child witness with any other witnesses or attempt to prompt or influence the testimony of the child witness.
C. The child witness shall be afforded the opportunity, if available, to have a certified therapeutic dog accompanied by the handler of the certified therapeutic dog in lieu of a support person.
D. As used in this section:
1. "Certified therapeutic dog" means a dog which has received the requisite training or certification from the American Kennel Club, Alliance of Therapy Dogs, or an equivalent organization to perform the duties associated with therapy dogs in places such as hospitals, nursing homes, and other facilities where the emotional benefits of therapy dogs are recognized. Prior to the use of a certified therapeutic dog the court shall conduct a hearing to verify:
a. the credentials of the certified therapeutic dog,
b. the certified therapeutic dog is appropriately insured, and
c. a relationship has been established between the child witness and the certified therapeutic dog in anticipation of testimony;
2. "Child witness" means a child as defined by Section 1-1-105 of Title 10A of the Oklahoma Statutes who has been or will be called to testify in a criminal proceeding; and
3. "Support person" means a parent, other relative or a next friend chosen by the witness to accompany the witness to criminal proceedings.
Amendment History
Amended by Laws 2022, c. 104, s. 4, eff. 11/1/2022. Added by Laws 2014, c. 81, s. 1, eff. 11/1/2014.
Plain-English Summary
Subsection A states the Legislature's purpose plainly: protect a child witness in a criminal proceeding from unnecessary emotional discomfort or anguish. Subsection B turns that purpose into a right -- the child witness may have a support person present while testifying, though that person can't discuss the testimony with other witnesses or try to prompt or influence it. Subsection C offers an alternative where available: a certified therapeutic dog, accompanied by its handler, in place of a support person.
Subsection D supplies the definitions. A "certified therapeutic dog" needs training or certification from the American Kennel Club, the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, or an equivalent organization, and before one is used the court must hold a hearing to verify the dog's credentials, its insurance, and an established relationship between the dog and the child. "Child witness" borrows its definition from Title 10A, and a "support person" is a parent, other relative, or next friend the witness chooses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a child testifying in a criminal case bring someone to sit with them?
Yes. Subsection B gives a child witness the right to be accompanied by a support person while testifying.
Can a therapy dog accompany a child witness on the stand instead of a person?
Yes, subsection C gives the child witness the opportunity, if available, to have a certified therapeutic dog and its handler in lieu of a support person.
What has to happen before a court allows a certified therapy dog in the courtroom?
The court must hold a hearing to verify the dog's credentials, that it's appropriately insured, and that a relationship has been established between the child witness and the dog in anticipation of testimony.
Can the support person help the child answer questions on the stand?
No. Subsection B bars the support person from discussing the child's testimony with other witnesses or attempting to prompt or influence it.
Who can serve as a "support person" under this section?
A parent, other relative, or next friend chosen by the witness, per subsection D(3).
Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from
Title 12 of the Oklahoma Statutes, enacted by the Oklahoma Legislature.
Last verified August 3, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: therapy dog child witness oklahoma12 O.S. § 2611.12support person child witness testimony oklahomacertified therapeutic dog courtroom oklahoma