Courthouse Companion Dog Tresi interacted with about 250 people last year, serving as a calming presence in emotional meetings, hearings and other court-related functions.
Tresi has been under the care of the District Attorney’s Office since early 2018. Her primary purpose is to comfort children and adult witnesses and victims involved in the court process.
Tresi, a 4-year-old yellow Lab, attended over 25 court hearings during 2019, including sentencing and guilty plea precedings.
And she now has her own “business cards,” which are available to visitors to the District Attorney’s Office, on the 5th floor of the Lancaster County Courthouse at 50 North Duke Street.
The two-side cards include photos of Tresi, along with her bio information, such as her hobbies - which include playing tug-of-war and eating treats.
A mission statement on the card reads:
“Tresi’s purpose is to provide comfort, support and stress relief for victims and witnesses of crime as they navigate through the court process.”
Tresi was raised by a volunteer in a puppy home for the Canine Partners for Life for her first year. A grant provided funding for Tresi to relocate to the DA’s Office.
Her primary handler is victim-witness advocate Karin Young. Several other members of the DA’s office are also trained to handle her.
Brenneman Inc. designed and printed the “business cards.”
MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright