Martin Short’s daughter, Katherine, had a service dog to assist with “mental illness” in the years prior to her heartbreaking death.
In Katherine’s since-deleted professional website, she shared a photo and bio of her service dog, Joni, who she named after singer Joni Mitchell.
“Joni is my incredible service dog, who has been assisting me with my own struggles with mental illness for the past 5 years,” Katherine wrote.
“Joni will often be in the office with me, cuddled up on her bed,” Katherine continued. “She is an absolute sweetheart and just LOVES people, so don’t be surprised if she greets you with a smile, a wagging tail…and maybe even a kiss.”
Also on her website, was a section that detailed her impressive career as a clinical social and her private practice where she had dozens of areas of specialization, including, anxiety, psychotic disorders and borderline personality disorder.
She was also actively involved with the charity Bring Change 2 Mind, whose mission it is to erase the stigma surrounding mental health.
Katherine was reportedly found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound at her Hollywood Hills, Calif., home on Monday around 6 p.m. local time, per TMZ. She was 42.
“At 6:41 p.m., we responded to a reported shooting at that address,” the Los Angeles Fire Department told Page Six, confirming they received a call to 911.
A rep for the “Only Murders in the Building” actor confirmed Katherine’s death to Page Six in a statement Tuesday.
“It is with profound grief that we confirm the passing of Katherine Hartley Short. The Short family is devastated by this loss, and asks for privacy at this time. Katherine was beloved by all and will be remembered for the light and joy she brought into the world.”
Katherine was the adopted daughter of the comedian, 75, and his late wife, Nancy Dolman, who died from cancer in 2010. The couple also adopted sons Oliver Patrick, 39, and Henry Hayter, 36, together.
After graduating from New York University in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Gender Sexuality Studies, Katherine earned her master’s degree in social work from the University of Southern California.
Before opening her private practice, she worked in several psychiatric hospitals and outpatient programs that aimed to help many different groups including veterans, low income families and foster youth, per her website.
Katherine mostly remained out of the spotlight, but has attended a few events with her famous father over the years.
The father-daughter duo’s last public sighting was in 2023 for Katherine’s 40th birthday celebration at Grand Master Recorders in Hollywood.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.
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