Pennsylvania

Lehigh County DA Introduces Furry New Employee

A companion dog for victims and witnesses is now available at the Lehigh County Courthouse.

District Attorney Jim Martin announced the arrival of companion dog Ramona.

The female black Labrador retriever comes to the district attorney’s office from Canine Partners for Life (CPL) of Cochranville, Pennsylvania. CPL has placed more than 650 service and companion dogs in 45 different states.

Ramona will be available to victims and witnesses of assault, child abuse, sexual assault and homicide cases.

Researchers have found that animals can have a calming effect on nervous victims and witnesses. They can also help build trust with child victims who might be anxious or withdrawn, Martin said.

Reducing a child’s stress and anxiety may also assist him or her to relax and, therefore, have a better recall and focus.

“Victims of crime face many difficulties and challenges. It is my hope that Ramona will enhance my office’s ability to help these individuals, particularly child and elderly victims of crime," he said. "Dogs such as Ramona have proved helpful in this regard in other District Attorney Offices in the Commonwealth.” 

Two-year-old Ramona was donated to CPL from another assistance dog school at about 12 weeks of age. Her small size made it difficult for her to fulfill the role of a service dog. Since then, she was raised by the inmates of the Maryland Correctional Institution for Women in Jessup, Maryland.

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