St. Joseph County courthouse now has two working service dogs
ST. JOSEPH COUNTY — You might think the county court building has gone to the dogs in Centreville.
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.
Meet Romeo
Patch took in Romeo last July until he could start training as a service dog for the county veterans affairs office.
But after training was delayed, she said she got a bit attached and they decided the courthouse would be a better fit for the dog. The veterans affairs office wanted a more active dog.
“(Romeo is) not an active dog. He is laid back,” Patch said. He 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 dog lives with Patch, her husband, and two sons.
The Sturgis Elks donated funds to purchase and train Romeo. Patch pays all the other bills.
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Marvin brought Greta to the courthouse to be a victim's advocate comfort animal for young victims.
“She’s already been helpful. We’ve had kids in, and the kids absolutely love her," Marvin said of Greta.
Just 10-months-old, the prosecutor picked the German Shepherd for her mild temperament.
“She is a gentle dog that showed the least aggression. She’s a very sweet animal,” Marvin said.
Marvin has received threats since taking office in January 2021. He also wanted a dog for security.
Marvin paid for her. He takes full responsibility for her paying for her training, vet bills, and food. Not really a “dog person,” Marvin said, “She’s growing on me.”
“She’s healthy. I think a lot of people overfeed. This dog is supposed to be athletic and agile,” he said, adding Greta gets the best treats, supplements, and food.
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Marvin took Greta to a Constantine fourth-grade class.
"The kids just loved her," he said.
He plans to take the dog to other schools when he explains OK2Say and warns of dangers for kids to be careful of.
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Marvin feels it’s less intimidating for them to hear about the topics from an adult when Greta is present.
Magnum K-9, the firm that works with many of the region’s police agencies and the public, trains both dogs.
--Contact Don Reid: dReid@Gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter: @DReidTDR
This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: St. Joseph County courthouse now has two working service dogs
