HOLLAND, MI (WHTC) – Meet Sydney, an employee of the Ottawa County Prosecutor’s Office.
In an effort to recognize Sydney as an employee of the Ottawa County Prosecutor’s Office, she will be sworn in as the official canine advocate by Chief Circuit Court Judge Edward R. Post on Thursday, April 14. The honorary ceremony will take place at 1:00 p.m. in courtroom B on the third floor of the Ottawa County Courthouse in Grand Haven.
Sydney has been trained to work with child victims of sexual assault to lessen the stress and trauma than can result from confronting their abusers. Their “canine friend” assists by merely being close at hand to provide support. Sydney helps in multiple settings including forensic interviews, crisis intervention, trial preparation and court proceedings.
Sydney will not receive a salary like her human counterparts, but she will be the guest of honor at a cake and punch reception immediately following the ceremony. There, the public can greet her and view the new coloring book, “Sydney’s Guide To Court.”
The book was professionally designed by Bellsmith Graphic Design Studio. It builds on Sydney’s role as a canine advocate by familiarizing children with the court process in a creative and appealing way. For more information, or to RSVP for this event, contact Joan Grillo, Victim Rights Coordinator for the Ottawa County Prosecutor’s Office, at 616-846-8300 .
The swearing in event will happen during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, observed annually during the second week of April.
This year’s theme “Serving Victims, Building Trust, Restoring Hope” highlights how supportive services provided in the immediate aftermath of a crime establish trust in the community and criminal justice response. This trust, in turn, begins to restore victims’ hope for healing and recovery.
Funding for this event was made possible through The Crime Victim Services Commission and the Prosecuting Attorney’s Association of Michigan.
