Santa Rosa-Trained Dog, Bear, Joins Contra Costa Co. DA's Office

MARTINEZ, CA — The Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office has adopted a dog to help crime victims, witnesses and children in courtrooms and other settings where stress levels are high.

"Bear," a 2-year-old lab who responds to roughly 40 commands — several of which he knows in English and in Spanish — was paired with Assistant DA's Office Inspector Janet Era after she applied for a facility dog from Canine Companions for Independence.

Era says she didn't pick the dog, the dog picked her.

"Being partnered with Bear has brought a sense of calm to the environment we work in," Era said. "Observing the change he instantly makes in a victim's life makes me grateful to be partnered with him."

Both Bear and Era are certified by Assistance Dogs International. They both had to pass standardized practical tests and have continuous ongoing testing to keep their team certification current.

"Bear is a highly trained facility dog," said Scott Alonso, spokesman for the Contra Costa DA's Office. "He works with victims and witnesses by providing unmatched emotional support during the investigation and prosecution of criminal cases."

Bear's birthday is April 17, 2017, and his favorite treats are apples and carrots, Alonso noted.

The dog was provided by the nonprofit Canine Companions for Independence at no cost to the District Attorney's Office, but they estimate the cost of the training at more than $50,000, according to Alonso.

Canine Companions for Independence, which run its Northwest Training Centerout of south Santa Rosa, has been training and placing dogs for nearly 44 years, totaling more than 6,000 placements with 230 of them to military veterans.

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.