Court advocate dog added to prosecutor’s team to help victims

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WFIE) - The Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office has a new member of their team to help victims.

Wallis, a black english lab, will be used to help calm victims in the prosecutor’s office as well as on the stand during a trial.

“For a child, for any person with special needs or any adult that just needs a little extra comfort," Daren Harmon, Wallis’ handler and the community outreach coordinator for the prosecutor’s office, said. "That’s what she’s here for, that’s what she was bred for and that’s where she gets her praise. She loves helping people.”

“To have an avenue that we can provide comfort for those people to help them tell their story and help them to be able to answer difficult questions and to speak in front of others is very important," Vanderburgh County Prosecutor Nick Hermann said.

Wallis is the first K-9 court advocate dog of its kind in the Tri-State and knows over 90 commands.

“We wanted to be kind of leading in the state of Indiana and there’s not a dog down in this area, so why not be the first,” Harmon said.

Wallis will also be available for use at partner agencies that assist crime victims like Holly’s House, Lampion Center and Albion Fellows Bacon Center.

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