BOSTON, March 29, 2017— As part of his duties as the only service animal assigned to a Massachusetts prosecutor’s office, District Attorney Dan Conley’s facility dog Indy visited with Cub Scouts in West Roxbury yesterday.

Cub Scouts from Pack 3 at Holy Name Parish earned their Service Dog merit badges with the help of Indy and his handler, Kara Hayes, Conley’s Chief of Community Engagement.  Hayes spoke to the scouts about Indy’s role at the office helping comfort children and adults as they give interviews, prepare for court appearances, or support their loved ones who might be doing the same.  The kids were also treated to a demonstration of Indy’s commands and learned about the extensive and specialized training he and other service dogs receive.

West Roxbury cub scouts earned their service animal merit badges after visiting with DA Dan Conley’s facility dog, Indy. Indy is the first facility animal to be placed in a Massachusetts prosecutor’s office — or any government agency.

“There’s a special bond between dogs and humans that goes back thousands of years,” Conley said. “But there’s something truly special about the way kids interact with Indy, and I know he was grateful to the Scouts for hosting him.”

Indy joined Conley’s office in 2014 at no cost to taxpayers thanks to Canine Companions for Independence.  His primary duties are working with children during forensic interviews and with victims and witnesses of all ages preparing to testify in the grand jury and at trial. 

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