BELLEFONTE — The Centre County district attorney’s office welcomed its newest staff member on Friday, June 14. Missie, a 2.5-year-old, yellow Labrador retriever mix, was introduced as the new Centre County courthouse dog, following Princess, one of the first courthouse dogs in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Missie will lend a paw in comforting witnesses and victims at the courthouse.
During the announcement, representatives from the Centre County Victim Witness Office, the director of the Child Access Center, courthouse judges and District Attorney Bernie Cantorna, joined Missie to share more of the importance of the courthouse’s newest employee.
“Missie has gone through a comprehensive training program in order to be certified as a courthouse dog. We were lucky enough to be chosen by Canine Partners for Life as one of the counties to benefit from their program,” the district attorney’s office shared in a press release.
Canine Partners for Life is a nonprofit organization that trains and places service and companion dogs to assist individuals with physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities, enhancing their independence and quality of life.
Missie’s first training stage was via a volunteer puppy raiser, who worked with Missie daily. She then moved to the puppy raising program at State Correctional Institution Benner Township to learn basic obedience and comfort skills.
“Missie’s career of service began in our state prison system and will continue now here in Centre County. She returned to CPL’s campus for her final training at the end of 2023 and we were lucky enough to have her come to us in June, 6 months later,” the press release shared.
Missie will work in the courthouse to comfort witnesses and victims, many of whom are minors, who are in the throes of stressful legal processes.
“You may spy Missie on the streets of Bellefonte, in Courtroom 1 on Wednesdays, at the Child Access Center in Bellefonte and anywhere else survivors and vulnerable community members need support,” Cantorna said. “When working in the Centre County courthouse, Missie is all business. She is a certified courthouse dog, Centre County’s second courthouse dog and a great addition to our staff.”
Elizabeth Rosenberg, early outreach victim advocate for the Victim Witness Office, will be Missie’s primary handler, though Shalane Brownell and Assistant District Attorney Andrew Stover will also accompany Missie when Rosenberg is not available.
“As an attorney and district attorney, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of a Courthouse Dog Program,” Cantorna said. “We all know the remarkable ability of our canine friends to provide a calming presence during our most challenging times. Missie will offer a unique sense of comfort which allows survivors and witnesses to tell their stories while being continuously supported.”
