Montco DA welcomes Turks the comfort dog to the courthouse

NORRISTOWN Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman announced Thursday that K-9 Officer Turks has joined the District Attorney's Office as a courthouse comfort dog, to help reduce the stress and anxiety that crime victims and witnesses sometimes experience during court proceedings.

The office collaborated with Canine Partners for Life, an agency in Chester County that trains and places service and therapy dogs, to obtain Turks, a nearly 2-year-old yellow Labrador retriever.

Comfort dogs are offered to people who need or desire a quiet companion during testimony or other stressful times in court. Ferman said Turks will also be available to other county departments with similar needs.

Several staff members have been trained as handlers and volunteered to care for Turks on and off duty.

"Turks will be a resource to help our victims manage the emotional toll the court system can take on them," Ferman said in a statement. - Inquirer staff