King County Mourns Murphy The Comfort Dog

Seattle WA

12 November, 2021

3:12 PM

Description

KING COUNTY, WA — The King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office announced the death of its longtime canine companion on Friday, honoring Murphy, a loyal member of the team and the court's official "comfort dog." "Murphy was a very good dog; he faithfully, patiently, and effectively served our community for many years," said Dan Satterberg, the King County Prosecuting Attorney. "We thank him for that service. He will be so missed." According to Satterberg's office, Murphy was tasked with helping out the Involuntary Treatment Act team, serving as a friendly face for witnesses, families, attorneys, medical professionals and court staff. The ITA Court deals with people who are suffering from mental illness and are "suicidal, homicidal [or] gravely disabled." In such cases, prosecutors ask the court to hold at-risk people in hospital settings, and the ITA team meets works with families and witnesses to make sure their loved ones receive care. "An integral part of the work of ITA prosecutors is to make witnesses that come to Harborview for ITA hearings feel comfortable, cared for and listened to," the prosecutor's office said. "These witnesses are often stressed and upset with what their family members, friends, loved ones and community members are going through." Murphy filled a key role in that mission, laying the groundwork for similar dozens of similar courthouse dog programs across the nation. In a news release Friday, one prosecutor who worked frequently with Murphy shared some highlights of Murphy's career over the years. Deputy prosecuting attorney Jocelyn McCurtain writes: "I used Murphy on numerous occasions to calm my witness's nerves so they could go before the Court and present evidence to get an individual suffering from mental illness and in crisis the essential care they so desperately needed. I can think of numerous examples of Murphy's work in ITA, however, I will highlight two. First, I brought Murphy in to sit with one witness who was terrified to testify about the everyday terror she experienced due to a neighbor who was in crisis at her apartment complex. Murphy calmly sat and let her pet him, let her rest her hand on him and hug him. He was calm, patient, and simply laid there providing her comfort. Second, there are many times where children have to come in with their parents due to lack of childcare coverage. On one occasion, a young child was brought in with her parents. The child was scared to be in a hospital setting and restless due to the amount of time she was required to sit at the hospital. Murphy came out and sat with her. This alleviated not only the anxiousness of the child, but the additional stress placed on the family that had been watching her."