The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1 and Division 2) ('the Courts') are thrilled to announce the expansion of the successful Court Dog Program with the addition of three new facility dogs to operate in the Sydney, Parramatta and Newcastle registries.
The purchase of the dogs has been funded by the Law Society of New South Wales, and the dogs will be expertly trained and supplied by Guide Dogs NSW/ACT.
The Court Dog Program has made real and significant improvements to the experiences of many litigants since its introduction in the Melbourne and Hobart registries of the Courts. Trained facility dogs, Poppy and Zoey quickly gained popularity and drastically improved the experience of vulnerable litigants and children, helping them to feel happy, safe, calm and able to fully engage with court proceedings.
The Chief Justice of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, the Honourable William Alstergren AO, said:
"The investment by the Law Society of New South Wales goes a long way towards helping vulnerable court users in the state.
It's a credit to the Law Society of New South Wales and its members that they've decided to fund the three new dogs for our registries in Sydney, Parramatta and Newcastle. We've been overwhelmed at the positive reception our Court Dog Program has received in Melbourne and Hobart, so we're beyond excited to see the impact these new additions will make in New South Wales."
President of the Law Society of NSW Jennifer Ball said:
"The proven benefits of specially trained dogs in a court environment makes the investment in this program a positive decision for justice.
Lawyers, particularly those involved in court proceedings, rely on their witnesses giving the best evidence possible. Whether they be adults or children, witnesses who feel less anxious, and more comfortable and supported, are shown to produce more reliable evidence, have better factual recall, speak more clearly and coherently, and exhibit fewer signs of distress."
Guide Dogs NSW/ACT Therapy Dog Program Team Leader Samantha O'Keefe said:
"Puppies selected for the program are carefully chosen and trained by canine experts.
Not every puppy is suited to becoming a fully qualified Guide Dog. Some dogs have the perfect nature and training to become a Court Dog, where they ease stress, reduce anxiety, provide companionship, emotional support and hugs to those in need.
We're so thrilled to be supporting three new registries with their very own specially trained Court Dogs, who will go on to have a positive impact on the wellbeing of people navigating the court system."
The dogs to be based in the Courts' Newcastle, Parramatta and Sydney registries will be sworn in and commence duty early in 2025.
Background to the Court Dog Program
The objectives of the Court Dog Program are:
- to help litigants and children find their voice and tell their stories;
- to make the court experience more trauma-sensitive for court users; and
- to facilitate participation in the court process and further the administration of justice.
Court Dogs are facility dogs, a special type of Therapy Dog trained to work in a particular setting to provide support, in this instance a court environment. Guide Dogs NSW/ACT trains dogs to provide emotional support and comfort to victims of crime in the court system according to their calm temperament and personality.
One of the fundamental principles to utilising Court Dogs is that they enhance the legal process and maintain its integrity, not distract from it.
The use of assistance animals in facilities is widely acknowledged as having positive therapeutic benefits on individuals. In the justice setting, Court Dogs are increasingly being utilised as a trauma-informed support for vulnerable litigants, witnesses and children, and to reduce the stress of engaging with court processes.
The research behind Court Dogs indicates that the dogs help to reduce the effects of cortisol, the stress hormone that increases a human's heart rate and blood pressure. Court Dogs also increase oxytocin, which reduces anxiety and improves a person's clarity of thought and sense of calm.
The Courts have surveyed users of the Court Dog Program, finding that:
- 100 percent of court users think that having a Court Dog in their court registry is positive;
- 100 percent of court users felt supported by the presence of a Court Dog;
- When describing how Poppy or Zoey made them feel, survey respondents most commonly answered that the Court Dog helped them to:
- Feel relaxed (78 percent of survey respondents).
- Feel less nervous (77 percent of survey respondents).
- Feel happy (66 percent of survey respondents).
- Feel safe (52 percent of survey respondents).
- Think more clearly (40 percent of survey respondents).
- Express themselves better (35 percent of survey respondents).
Anonymous quotes from users of the Court Dog Program in Melbourne and Hobart include the following:
"Having Zoey in court is extremely helpful. She was a good distraction during a very stressful time. It's a great program and Zoey is a fabulous ambassador. I'm very thankful to have had Zoey there with me."
"I had Poppy three times this year with me through a court trial, it really was the best way to take my mind off the stressful situation l was in, giving me a more relaxed and comforting approach to being there. I feel that this program of having a Court Dog, should apply in all courts across Australia."
"Having the Court Dog, Zoey, present and the incidental interactions I had with her, breaks through a layer of tension that rests upon solicitors, counsel and parties' shoulders, even before entering the court building. Seeing Zoey sitting from afar or at the top of the stairs, brings your mind to the present and a smile on your face. When dealing with children's matters in particular, it is important that you are not internally focused and can focus on those around you and those that are impacted by the proceedings. Zoey reminds everyone what the real world is about."
"My child has special needs and attended an appointment for child report and interview. Poppy definitely helped them to reduce their anxiety and made the beginning of interview easier. Poppy helped me with my stress while I was waiting as well. It would be very helpful to have Poppy in court to assist children and adults, especially those with traumas and special needs. Poppy is an absolute delight!"
