New addition to K-9 Victim Support Program brings comfort to young crime victims

Maricopa County has a new addition to their K-9 Victim Support Program, Coco. Coco the dog is trained to provide support and comfort for crime victims, primarily those who are younger.

Coco attends court hearings and accompanies victims to their interviews and meetings regarding their case. The rigorous training for K-9s allows them to function in chaotic environments and remain focused in the presence of any noise or uproar.

One of Coco’s most important tasks is to help victims when they are testifying in court for their case. She can help young victims prepare and get through these trials when it may be a difficult time.

Haley Knutson, a victim advocate at the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, and Coco, Victim Support K-9, joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss more about the K-9 program.

“They support all types of crime victims,” Knutson said, “but primarily children.”

Coco and the other support animals attend trials, lying at the victim’s feet to allow the victim to pet Coco while they are testifying. She not only attends trials but also court hearings and various office meetings. Coco has been involved with this program since October 2025, after replacing Morgan, a K-9 that had retired.

“Coco came in, and now she’s our working K-9,” Knutson explained. “Coco went through two years of intense training. She does a year and a half of obedience training, and then about six months of intensive courtroom training.”

Knutson emphasized any member of the K-9 program should have the proper temperament and be a dog that can understand the court setting and what is asked of them. The program primarily has had golden retrievers, but in the past, they have had other dog breeds as well.

“We have done courtroom trainings where we do a mock courtroom with Coco,” Knutson said. “We had almost every scenario, anything that you would imagine in a courtroom or listening to anything, is something that we make sure she is put through.”