Berto, the new victim’s therapy dog
There’s a new “victims’ therapy dog” on the staff at the offices of District Attorney General Dave Clark in Clinton – Berto, a beautiful black Labrador retriever.
Clark announced the acquisition of this special new staffer last Friday, and said Berto’s role is to help people who have gone through the trauma associated with being victims of criminal acts.
Berto’s handler is Katherine Sellers, who serves as the victim/witness coordinator for the District Attorney’s Office.
“Berto is the new therapy dog for the District Attorney General’s Office, and we are excited to welcome him on duty to help victims deal with the emotions of their trauma and to withstand the challenges of confronting the criminally accused through the criminal justice process,” Clark said in a release.
As for Sellers, “She and her staff professionally and compassionately support victims,” Clark said. “Katherine took the initiative to successfully apply for a grant to obtain a trained therapy dog. It has been a long and difficult process.”
Sellers and Berto returned to Clinton last weekend after two weeks of training out of state, Clark said.
“We are proud of Katherine’s efforts, passion and compassion, and can’t wait for her return and Berto’s first day on duty,” he said.
According to the district attorney’s website, Sellers joined the office in 2009. In addition to her role as victim/witness coordinator in General Sessions Court Division I, she also serves as the administrative manager for 7th Judicial District Crime Task Force.