|Photo provided by Jay Jack| Liberty is retiring after seven years of work with the Marshall County Prosecutor’s Office.

November 26 was proclaimed “Liberty Day” in Moundsville in honor of the Marshall County Prosecutor’s Office retired support dog’s service to the children of the Northern Panhandle.

In addition to receiving recognition from the City of Moundsville to wrap up her seven-year career, Liberty was awarded the Hope’s Hero Award from the Harmony House Children’s Advocacy Center.

Liberty first came to the Marshall County Prosecutor’s Office in 2017 from Duo Dogs in St. Louis when she was two years old. Her main role was to comfort victims and witnesses in emotionally charged cases.

Jay Jack, Harmony House Executive Director, said Liberty went “above and beyond” in providing emotional support for the children Harmony House Works with. Liberty provided the children a source of comfort during interviews conducted for Child Protective Services and law enforcement for child sexual and physical abuse cases.

“We do interviews with kids that have been sexually or physically abused, so this could potentially be the second worst day of their lives because they have to rehash everything that happened to them again,” Jack said. “When Liberty is around, every kid is smiling and in a good mood. Even if it’s been their worst day, she’s there to help.”

Over her career, Liberty has been involved with 398 interviews and has been made available to the children Harmony House works with. Jack said Liberty would stop by Harmony House at least once every week to visit with the children.

“She could be with the kids during interviews or just hang out in the waiting room with them before they have to dig into the deeper material,” Jack said.

Jack noted that Liberty transformed children who came into interviews “scared, nervous and teary-eyed ” into cheerful children who “just wanted to play with a dog.”

“She was never a distraction because she’s been trained not to jump on people,” Jack said. “She’s very, very calm because, while she has her vest on, she’s working. As soon as that vest comes off, the kids can do whatever they want with her.”

Though Liberty will be the first canine to receive the Hope’s Hero Award, Jack said her role in being involved with the children in the community perfectly fits the criteria for the award.

“When we found out Liberty was retiring, we felt that, as much as she’s done with our kids, it was time to pass our thanks on to her,” Jack said.

During the seven years Liberty visited Harmony House, Jack said she “always kept the kids smiling.”

“She will be missed greatly here,” Jack said. “Over the many years, it’s been a good time with Liberty. We’re just excited for her, and we hope she has many good years left.”

Liberty is retiring from her job at 10 years old. She usually lives with Jodie Gardill, the current assistant prosecutor from Marshall County.

The Marshall County Prosecutor’s Office plans to bring in another therapy dog but does not yet have a timeline for acquiring one.