Sarah Ford | October 7, 2014

New Courthouse Dog To Help Comfort, Support Victims And Witnesses

By Walt Hunter

NORRISTOWN, Pa., (CBS) 鈥 The newest and only four-legged employee at the Montgomery County Courthouse officially arrived for work Friday morning.

鈥淭urks鈥, a 鈥淐ourthouse Comfort Dog,鈥 will now roam the hallways, helping witnesses, victims and even prospective jurors make their way through the often daunting criminal justice system.

Trained by Canine Partners for Life, 鈥淭urks鈥 will be led through the courthouse hallways each day by her official handler, Kiersten McDonald, a county investigator who is her official handler.

McDonald says 鈥淭urks鈥 will be very helpful for victims and witnesses who are often afraid to tell their stories, especially children.

鈥淭hey know their secret is safe, the dog won鈥檛 tell,鈥 McDonald explained.

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