Empower, Restore, and Overcome!
Tune in to Working Like Dogs on Pet Life Radio as Marcie and Fenway welcome the incredible Tamara Martin. With over 40 years in the criminal justice system, Tamara has dedicated her career to supporting both victims and offenders. She and her first facility dog, Willow, pioneered the first statewide facility dog program in the U.S., transforming how facility dogs provide comfort and support in the legal system. Now, as a Facility Dog Handler for the HERO program with the Office of Prosecution Services in Montgomery, Alabama, Tamara continues to make a profound impact with her current facility dog, Yahini. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation about the life-changing role of facility dogs in the justice system!
Listen to Episode #193 Now:
BIO:
Tamara Martin has spent over 40 years in the criminal justice system, having worked with both offenders and victims. Tamara earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Auburn University at Montgomery. Tamara spent her first nine years of her professional career counseling and advocating for domestic violence and sexual assault victims. Starting in 1992 and continuing for 21 years, Tamara worked as a federal probation officer with the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama. Following her retirement in 2013, Tamara began working on starting the first Courthouse Facility Dog program in Alabama. In May 2014, facility dog Willow was placed with Tamara to serve victims and witnesses in the Alabama court system. Tamara and Willow went on to start the first statewide facility dog program in the United States. Tamara is employed by the Office of Prosecution Services in Montgomery, Alabama, and Facility Dog Handler for the HERO program. Tamara serves on the International Board of Directors for the Courthouse Dogs Foundation, and is the National Coordinator for Justice Facility Dog, US. After Willow’s retirement in May 2021, Tamara was matched with facility dog Yahini. Willow and Yahini were bred and raised by Canine Companions, a service dog organization accredited by Assistance Dogs International.
Transcript: