Liam is the new employee at the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, but he’s not your typical worker. Liam is a 2.5-year-old Labrador/Golden Retriever mix who was adopted in June after being released from the Seeing Eye Program. He’s now training to be a K-9 therapy dog and will work with the office’s Victim Witness Unit.Liam is the new employee at the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, but he’s not your typical worker. Liam is a 2.5-year-old Labrador/Golden Retriever mix who was adopted in June after being released from the Seeing Eye Program. He’s now training to be a K-9 therapy dog and will work with the office’s Victim Witness Unit. Liam will provide comfort to victims of crime in court and at the District Attorney’s Office’s Child Advocacy Center. He’ll also help victims and their families prepare for their legal case. According to District Attorney John P. McDonald, the decision to hire Liam was prompted by the calming effect dogs have on employees coming home from work. Liam will be the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office’s first official K-9 therapy dog once he is sworn in.
Liam, the newest employee of the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, is on four legs and already enjoying the hunt. He’s the perfect “dog date” for the job.
Liam, a 2.5-year-old Labrador/Golden Retriever mix, was adopted by the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office in June after he was released from the Seeing Eye Program.
He has begun training for his new job as a K-9 therapy dog and will work with the District Attorney’s Office’s Victim Witness Unit, which helps victims of crime and their families.
According to District Attorney John P. McDonald, Liam and his handler, Erin Rocchietti, coordinator of the Victim Witness Unit, will comfort victims in court and at the District Attorney’s Office’s Child Advocacy Center (CAC) once they are trained and certified.
All children who come to the CAC for a forensic interview can speak to Liam, so he can help traumatized survivors talk about their experiences.
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Liam also wants to help victims and their families prepare for their legal case.
McDonald said he hopes Liam can help Victim Witness Unit staff as they work to reduce stress and prevent victims from being re-traumatized during the criminal justice process.
According to the prosecutor, the decision to hire Liam was prompted by the calm appearance of a dog on employees coming home from work.
Once Liam is sworn in, he will become the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office’s first official K-9 therapy dog.
