Hitch is a Black Labrador Retriever born on May 3, 2014. Similarly to Mitchell, Hitch was donated to the Lake County State's Attorney's Office by Support Dogs, Inc, a national not-for-profit organization accredited by Assistance Dogs International. Hitch also went through an extensive series of trainings, including a formal program at the Southwestern Illinois Correctional Center (SWICC). While at the SWICC program, inmates of the facility actually aid in the early training stages of these facility dogs. After the trainings concluded, Hitch graduated from Support Dogs, Inc., and became a professionally certified and trained assistance dog.
Hitch will be assigned to the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit's Therapeutic Intensive Monitoring Program. The program includes Specialty Courts such as: Mental Health Court, Drug Court and Veterans Court.
The current target population for Drug Court includes offenders who reside in Lake County, are before the court on a class 2, 3, or 4 non-violent felony charge, and are deemed drug dependent but amenable for treatment.
Hitch will be available in the Therapeutic Intensive Monitoring Courts as well as throughout the courtrooms to serve as comfort for those who have entered the criminal justice system due to a mental health illness, and/or traumatic circumstances during their lifetime, or have an addiction.