'Comfort dog' joins Montco DA's office

The newest member of the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office won't argue in court, make plea deals, or interview witnesses.

Instead, Turks will help those affected by crime deal with the stress of the criminal-justice system.

The nearly 2-year-old Labrador retriever will serve as a "courthouse comfort dog" for victims and witnesses who must testify and appear in court.

Certain staff members in the District Attorney's Office have been trained as handlers and will care for Turks when she's both on and off duty, officials said.

"As difficult as the incidents themselves can be, giving statements about what happened and navigating the criminal justice system forces a victim to relive that trauma," District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman said in a statement. "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 work with the County Detective Bureau as well as the DA's office and also be available to other county departments.

The dog is joining the agencies through a collaboration with Canine Partners for Life, a Chester County agency that trains and places service and therapy dogs.