Montco DA Welcomes Comfort Dog to Support Crime Victims

There’s a new face around the Montgomery County Courthouse and she’s easy to spot—she’s got four legs.

Her name is Turks and she’s a courthouse “comfort dog” that will provide support to crime victims and witnesses, the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office announced Thursday.

The Montgomery County District Attorney’s office worked with Canine Partners For Life of Chester County to train and obtain Turks, a two-year old yellow Labrador retriever.

Turks will be working within the District Attorney’s Office and County Detective Bureau to provide support for crime victims. In addition, she will be made available to other county departments with similar needs, the DA’s office said.

Courthouse staff members have been specially trained as handlers and have volunteered to care for Turks, according to information from the district attorney’s office.

District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman said she was motivated to have a comfort dog in Montgomery County after learning about a similar therapeutic program in Centre County.

“Crime is a traumatic event for victims. As difficult as the incidents themselves can be, giving statements about what happened and navigating the criminal justice system forces a victim to re-live that trauma. A comfort dog can offer a soothing influence to make it easier for a victim to handle the stress of the court system. Turks will be a resource to help our victims manage the emotional toll the court system can take on them,” Ferman said of the program.

(Photo: Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office.)