Victims and witnesses have a new friend in the Centre County District Attorney’s Office to help them face a difficult experience.
Missie is a 2.5-year-old yellow Labrador retriever mix and the new Centre County Courthouse comfort dog.
District Attorney Bernie Cantorna said his office is “very, very lucky” to have Missie on board to provide “comfort and warmth and security to witnesses and people who are undergoing some of the most difficult times of their lives.”
“Anybody who has a canine friend knows the unconditional love and support that they give you,” Cantorna said. “What we really don’t understand is how difficult and how hard it is to come to court, to testify and tell stories about intimate things of your life, terrible things that have occurred to you, in an environment that really isn’t welcoming. It’s not designed to provide that comfort and support, but Missie’s been trained for two years to do exactly that.”
Missie came to the courthouse from Canine Partners for Life, a nonprofit organization that trains and matches service and companion dogs. She has undergone extensive training that began with a volunteer puppy trainer at 6 months old. She then went to the puppy training program at Benner state prison to learn obedience and comfort skills before returning to CPL for her final training in 2023.
She arrived at the DA’s office earlier in June and becomes just the second Centre County Courthouse comfort dog and first in more than seven years. The court’s first comfort canine, a yellow Lab named Princess, passed away in 2017.
“She’s a really, really a great addition to our staff,” Cantorna said. “She will help people to come forward and feel safe to tell their stories. It allows us to provide a safe environment for our survivors, our victims and our witnesses. She is an integral part of our office, the courthouse system and of Centre County.”
Liz Rosenberg, early outreach victim advocate in the Victim/Witness Office, is Missie’s primary handler, with clerk Shalene Brownell and Assistant District Attorney Andrew Stover accompanying her when Rosenberg is not available.
Missie’s sole job is to help allay the fears and worries of vulnerable victims and witnesses, Rosenberg said.
“Our newest addition, Missie, is going to be here to ease that anxiety, act as a distraction from all of those racing thoughts, serve as a grounding reminder that we have a safe space for people to be here,” Rosenberg said. “We also know that in their journey through the criminal justice process, people can feel very isolated and alone. As she’s very literally by someone’s side…and maybe nudging them with her little nose, Missie’s going to be reminding people that they in fact are not alone, that we’re all here to support them.”
Missie is expected to be especially helpful with children. In addition to being at the courthouse, she will work with agencies such as Children and Youth Services and the Mount Nittany Health Children’s Advocacy Center of Centre County (CAC).
In cases of reported child abuse, children are typically referred to the CAC where they meet with a forensic interviewer and are offered a medical exam. The CAC also coordinates a multidisciplinary team that investigates child abuse, including of law enforcement, children and youth caseworkers, victim advocates, the district attorney’s office and mental health professionals.
“We’re just so excited and grateful that the Centre County District Attorney’s Office has added Missie, a courthouse therapy dog, as this would also be a new member of our team as well,” Kim Saltsman, CAC executive director, said. “I believe having Missie will have a huge, positive impact on the children and families’ experiences throughout the investigation and the court process, improving their overall well-being and journey to healing by providing extra comfort and companionship to them and ultimately just reducing their stress and anxiety about the process.”
At an introduction to courthouse staff and the press on Friday, Rosenberg demonstrated some of Missie’s commands with the assistance of Court of Common Pleas Judge Julia Rater. With the prompting of “lap,” Missie put her paws on Rater’s lap and later retrieved a gavel Rosenberg placed on the floor. Missie also brought her leash to Rosenberg on command and waited patiently for permission to retrieve a treat.
Missie is also able to use her paw or nose to push the accessibility button to open doors at the courthouse.
Her addition to the DA’s office is the latest measure designed to comfort the vulnerable during the legal process. Last year, the courthouse opened a new children’s room designed to be a calm and peaceful room for kids who must attend hearings and other proceedings.
Cantorna and Rosenberg said that it’s important for victims and witnesses to know Missie is there to help them, along with a host of other resources to provide support through an often traumatic process.
“Whether it’s because of her calming presence or because of her cuteness and her sweet personality, Missie is really a welcome addition,” Rosenberg said.
“And at the end of the day, it’s my hope that she can serve as a reminder to us all about how to treat others with patience, kindness and a willingness to help.”
