Franklin County has welcomed its first court facility dog, Dudley, to the 39th Judicial District.
Dudley was sworn in by President Judge Shawn D. Meyers on June 16, according to a community announcement.
Dudley is set to work with the Franklin County Probation and Parole Department, offering support to individuals under court-ordered supervision, drug treatment court and general criminal court assistance.
Dudley, the Franklin County Probation and Parole Department’s newest officer, was sworn in June 16 by President Judge Shawn D. Meyers.
“The addition of Dudley reflects our department’s ongoing commitment to evidence-based supervision strategies,” Probation and Parole Chief Douglas Wilburne said in the announcement. “His presence will help build trust, reduce anxiety and strengthen engagement with the individuals we serve. These efforts support long-term rehabilitation and contribute to greater community safety. We also look forward to Dudley’s kind spirit bringing comfort and support to our officers and staff as they carry out the challenging work they do each day.”
Dudley was trained through the Executive Council of Court Appointed Special Advocates in Torrington, Connecticut. His training lasted more than six months and included a week of intensive training with his primary handler, Kayla Stoner, and secondary handler, Officer Asharee Edwards.
Officer Lilya Gardner and Wilburne will also serve as secondary handlers and undergo the same training with Dudley.
Dudley’s role comes with specific responsibilities, and the community is asked to follow his handlers’ instructions when interacting with him.
“I am pleased to welcome Dudley as our first court facility dog for the 39th Judicial District,” Meyers said in the announcement. “I thank the county commissioners for their support of the initiative. Dudley is solely supported through offender fees to assist his fellow officers’ work. He joins court facility dogs in over 17 other jurisdictions throughout the commonwealth who provide support to victims of violent crimes and trauma, supplement probation and parole department initiatives to supervise and rehabilitate offenders and aid those navigating the various drug, mental health and veteran treatment courts in Pennsylvania.”
This story was created by David DeMille, ddemille@gannett.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.
This article originally appeared on Chambersburg Public Opinion: Franklin County’s new court dog helps reduce stress in court