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Ada County Courthouse Dog Retires

(Boise, ID) –The Ada County Prosecutor’s Office retired Sunday, the Courthouse dog last month.

Ten-year-old Sunday has served vulnerable victims and witnesses of crime in Ada County since 2010. She worked with her trained handler in the Victim-Witness Unit of the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office. She provided comfort and support to vulnerable victims helping calm their fears and reduce their level of anxiety as they navigated the criminal justice system. Sunday was especially adept at calming child abuse victims.

Sunday put in over 16,500 hours in her working career with Ada County. She assisted in numerous trial prep meetings with vulnerable victims and witnesses, most being children.  She accompanied them to the stand in over 15 trials before 9 different magistrate and district judges.

Sunday was a recipient of the TWIN (Tribute to Women in Industry) award by the Women’s and Children’s Alliance (WCA) in April 2016 in recognition of her service.  During her career, Sunday also participated in multiple community events, training, and presentations including law enforcement crisis response debriefing, law enforcement call-outs, Victim’s Rights Week at Boise State University, Project Bear Care, WCA Healing Begins with Hope Breakfast, Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, House and Judiciary Rules Committee, Idaho Bar Association training, child protection cases, and SRO/elementary and middle school education/outreach.

Sunday received her training and certification as an assistance dog from Canine Companions for Independence in Santa Rosa, California. She is a yellow Lab/Golden Retriever mix. She was the first Courthouse Facility Dog to be placed in the state of Idaho.

“Sunday did a phenomenal job for us and we are forever grateful. Working in the Victim-Witness Unit is a demanding and stressful job and we decided it was time for Sunday to hang up her vest and enjoy her time playing, resting and relaxing. She’s earned it,” said Ada County Prosecuting Attorney, Jan Bennetts.

Sunday plans to enjoy her retirement at home with her current handler.

Ada County will be receiving a new Courthouse Assistance Dog from Canine Companions for Independence. The specific date for our new dog’s arrival has yet to be determined.