New York, NY – Kimi, a 2-year-old Labrador retriever mix, has been introduced as a “comfort dog” by the Queens District Attorney’s Office to help victims and witnesses, especially children and women, feel more at ease when discussing traumatic events.
Trained by Canine Companions for Independence, Kimi provides emotional support and companionship during medical exams, interviews, and court proceedings, helping individuals open up about their experiences.
Kimi is the first comfort dog to serve in a New York City district attorney’s office, and her presence has been shown to positively affect victims’ willingness to share their stories.
With over 40 trained commands, Kimi also wears a special law enforcement badge and blue bandanna, symbolizing her unique role in the judicial process.
Queens DA Melinda Katz highlighted Kimi’s role in reducing anxiety and fostering communication, noting that she has already assisted in multiple cases since starting in August.
Source: nypost.com
