The Comal County District Attorney's Office has brought on a working therapy dog named Diesel to help comfort child victims.

A few years ago, life landed Ashlynn Martz in the court system.

Then just 13 years old, Martz was in and out of courtrooms, and going before juries and judges.

"It's very difficult for any child, but for me it was pretty hard," Martz said.

To help, her parents got her Diesel, a 1-year-old Belgian Malinois.

Not your everyday pet, Diesel is a trained working therapy dog.

Diesel helped calm Martz when things got overwhelming and now that her ordeal is over, she's lending this calming canine to the Comal County District Attorney's Office.

"I think what Diesel will provide to children is comfort," DA Jennifer Tharp said.

Diesel is only allowed in the courtroom on special cases but his main job will be to comfort child victims before they go into court.

The concept, Tharp said, is fairly new, but Martz said it's effective.

"I want other kids going through the court system to feel like it's going to be OK," Martz said.

Diesel became an official employee of the Comal County District Attorney's Office Thursday during Commissioner's Court.