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Staten Island 'Facility Dog' To Help Victims Of Sexual Abuse

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Dealing with the criminal justice system can be a daunting task.

But now, the Staten Island District Attorney's office has a new employee who can lend a helping paw -- a dog named Bronksey.

"Victims of domestic violence are comforted by having a dog during their time of going through this process. Adult victims of sexual abuse will find comfort and I think others will see the value in this," Staten Island DA Daniel Donovan told 1010 WINS.

The 2-year-old black Labrador-Golden Retriever mix has been trained as a victim's advocate or "facility dog" by Canine Companions for Independence on Long Island.

His job is to help provide comfort to victims and witnesses, both young and old.

Just last week, a 12-year-old boy who was assaulted by a relative by assisted by Bronksey.

"The dog did not go in the grand jury with him, but stayed with him until he had to testify. He was summoned into grand jury to testify and he did a stellar job in grand jury and he came back out to see the dog again.  And on the way out, his mom thanked our staff and thanked the dog for making her child's experience a little bit more bearable," Donovan said.

Staten Island is the first district attorney's office in New York City to have such a dog.

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