LAST WEDNESDAY IN THE VICTIM’S UNIT OF THE MONTEREY COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE, REPORTERS MET TO WITNESS A DEMONSTRATION BY A “COURT HOUSE DOG”. THESE DOGS ARE A NEW ADDITION TO THE ROLES OF SERVICE DOGS ALL AROUND THE COUNTRY. THEY ARE VERY HIGHLY TRAINED IN THE ART OF KEEPING NERVOUS VICTIMS AND WITNESSES AT EASE DURING THE DIFFICULT TIME OF BEING IN A COURTHOUSE SITUATION. ODIE, A 2 YEAR OLD BLACK AND GOLDEN LAB, IS THE RESIDENT COURTHOUSE DOG IN MONTEREY, SHE ARRIVED ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO AND WORKS AROUND 40 HOURS PER WEEK. THESE DOGS ARE TRAINED FOR SERVICE SINCE THE TIME THEY ARE PUPPIES AND TRAINING COSTS CAN RUN FROM 25 TO 50 THOUSAND DOLLARS. ODIE LIVES AT HOME WITH D.A. INVESTIGATOR RYAN McQUIRK AND FAMILY.
