New Madera County DA dog to work with child witnesses

MADERA COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – The Madera County District Attorney’s newest employee started her first day of work Wednesday.

“Callie,” a large shepherd mix, has been in training for the last six months, and she will finally be able to put her skills to the test.

“They’ve been training her since at least December of last year,” said Madera County DA, Sally Moreno. “We needed a very specific dog that is very different from a dog the sheriff has.”

Callie will be working particularly with Child Witnesses.

“But really with any sensitive witness just to provide some calming energy for that child,” Moreno said. “We can introduce the child to the dog at a very early stage during the investigation, and then when we get the child ready for court again, the dog can be present.”

Callie is the product of a program called “VSP Freedom.”

“It’s a super amazing program where in the interest of teaching inmates in our prisons job skills so that they can change their lives for the better when they get out,” Moreno said.  

The program allows prison inmates the chance to train dogs like Callie for a variety of different services.  

“We picked her up this morning and she went right up to Mariposa, where we’re supporting the DA up there in a case with a child victim, and they’re just getting that child ready for court,” she said.  

Another way Moreno says dogs are providing therapy for children in Madera County.