Probation services gets tentative match for court facility dog; board approves moving forward

Audrey Fortnett, director of probation services, told commissioners the department has a tentative match for a court facility dog through Susquehanna Service Dogs and asked for final approval to proceed. Fortnett said the placement would primarily support treatment courts (DUI court, drug court, veterans court) and ease stress for people appearing for appointments or court matters; she said there will be no cost to the county because the placement was built into the department’s IP grant and additional JRI 2 funds may cover any remaining expenses.

Fortnett described training plans (virtual training to begin in April and a two-week field training in early June), identified a primary and secondary handler from probation staff, and said she had verified with the vendor that no additional county liability insurance was required. Commissioners moved, seconded and approved proceeding with the facility dog; Fortnett said she would forward a final policy draft to the county solicitor and the president judge for their review and approval before implementation.