The use of so-called comfort animals can render testimony from a frightened, young witness in court. But, Pennsylvania’s high court will consider in an upcoming argument: Can this rare accommodation be used in trial proceedings without prejudicially skewing the jury’s sympathies?

The use of comfort animals in trial proceedings is gaining popularity across the country, but the question of what makes proper use is a matter of first impression for the Pennsylvania court system. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court granted allocatur Dec. 9 in Commonwealth v. Sheron Jalen Purnell to consider the issue.