WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
St. Joseph County is operating with the benefit of two service dogs.
The Sturgis Journal is reporting that a yellow lab named Romeo joined deputy felony clerk Melissa Patch in September, while a German Shepherd named Greta is in the middle of her training with Prosecutor David Marvin.
Both are service dogs to help calm and ease victims’ fears in traumatic cases, primarily those that involve children.
Patch took in Romeo last July and spends his days on a bed beside her desk when not comforting victims. Since Romeo went into service after Labor Day, the lab sat through trials and hearings with four victims.
Before trials or hearings, Romeo meets the victim in the prosecutor’s office and accompanies them to the courtroom.
The Sturgis Elks donated funds to purchase and train Romeo. Patch pays all the other bills.
Marvin, meanwhile, brought Greta to the courthouse to be a victim’s advocate comfort animal for young victims. Marvin paid for the 10-month-old dog and he takes full responsibility for her medical-related expenses and training, vet bills, and food.
