CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The Cook County State’s Attorney has a new staff member trained to provide comfort for people involved in potentially-traumatic situations.
"Many of us who did this work, like to think we were born for this purpose. The fact is Hattie was born for this purpose," said Lori Smith, Director of the Victim-Witness Unit.
Meet Hattie, a 2-year-old black lab, who will work as a service dog in the office’s Victim-Witness Unit. She was was sworn-in Wednesday as an Assistant State’s Attorney.
State’s Attorney Kim Foxx said she'll provide comfort to victims of sexual assault - primarily children and mentally-disabled people.
"Talking about that abuse is difficult and traumatizing," Foxx. "View it through the eyes of a child, who has experienced the worst trauma they may have known in their life and asking them to tell us about the most horrific thing that happened to them."
The dog will be used in potentially-traumatic situations, including interviews and even in courtrooms.
Foxx said the dog is part of a victim-centered, trauma-informed approach.
She said the dog comes with no cost to taxpayers. There was grant money and donations, which includes long-term care.
The dog is being cared-for by two Assistant State's Attorneys.