ELKHART COUNTY — The Elkhart County court got a new member today.

Burke is an assisted credited facility dog, and he was officially sworn in this morning.

He raised his right paw and took the oath, becoming an officer of the court.

Burke’s job is to help kids feel more comfortable when they are in court.

“The kids that come in here, they’re under stress,” says Regina Hauptli, program assistant for the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Program of Elkhart County. “They don’t know what’s going to happen. They’re scared. They’re nervous. They’re in situations they don’t understand all the time and studies show just having a pet, a dog, and being able to touch and have comfort from Burke makes them a little more calmer.”

While Burke was officially sworn in today, he has already been helping kids for the past six weeks. And Regina says he has been a big help.