A growing number of states are moving dogs into courts, schools, prisons and juvenile facilities on the heels of new research that shows the emotional and physical benefits of dog-person contact.

DETROIT -- Because of Henry -- a gentlemanly, chocolate-and-white Portuguese waterdog -- once-silent autistic students at Novi High School now have a voice.
A Doberman pinscher named Tuesday is credited with helping 11 former servicemen graduate last week from Redford District Court's first Veterans Court.
And Deacon -- a therapy dog that visits patients at Crittenton Hospital in Rochester and goes to libraries to encourage kids to read out loud -- is this year's poster dog for the Detroit Kennel Club dogs shows, scheduled for March 2-3 . The poster, says the Kennel Club's website "honors all therapy dogs and the contributions they make to the lives and well being of those they visit."
Michigan is among a growing number of states where dogs are moving into courts, schools, prisons and juvenile facilities on the heels of new research that shows the emotional and physical benefits of dog-person contact, particularly for people in pain or in trouble.