Orange County authorities will deploy specially trained K-9s to critical situations to support victims and community members -- as well as staff -- through a new response program, the Orange County Probation Department announced Friday.

The WAGS (Wellness, Assistance, Growth and Support) program has introduced three K-9s -- Lizzie, Charlie Brown and Sunny -- who are trained to detect signs of trauma and comfort the distressed.

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Lizzie, a standard Poodle, is assigned to her handlers Mona Negron and David Alonso while Charlie Brown, a chocolate Lab, is paired with David Martinez. Sunny, a yellow lab, will be dispatched with Raul Castro.

The three K-9s do not perform law enforcement functions, such as investigations, according to the probation department.

 (They) serve as a support resource that may be utilized during critical incidents, victim-centered interactions, youth engagement activities, staff wellness responses, court support, and approved community outreach events,  the agency said.

Lizzie, Charlie Brown and Sunny will soon have additional colleagues as two more K-9s are slated to join the program.

Funding for the WAGS program comes from a U.S. Department of Justice Assistance Grant (JAG), which supported canine acquisition, specialized training, equipment and program implementation, according to Orange County authorities.

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