CHICAGO (AP) — It was a real dog of a ceremony this week during a swearing-in at the state’s attorney’s office in Chicago.
The newly sworn-in worker is a Labrador retriever named Hatty. The 2-year-old will be on a 9-to-5 human schedule.
But she’s being asked to work like a dog, to just do what comes naturally to most dogs: show affection.
Her job is to ease the strain of criminal proceedings on young children and those with mental-health issues who have been victims of assault. She’ll handle up to 200 cases annually.
Hatty is the office’s first emotional-support dog and was trained partly by inmates.
Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx presided over Tuesday’s swearing-in.
Hatty stood on her hind legs over a table and placed her paw across a law book as an oath was administered.
According to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, Hatty was brought to Cook County after a partnership with Duo Dogs, a St. Louis-based non-profit organization, at no cost to taxpayers.
The State’s Attorney’s Office staff held a fundraiser that will support food, equipment, and comfort materials.
Hatty, short for “hat trick,” came from a hockey-themed litter which also included Silky, Celly, Deke, Gino, Dangle, Puck, and Casey.
Photo Credit: Cook County State’s Attorney Office/Website
