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Justice gets a new best friend as three new specially trained facility dogs join the National Court Dog Program.
The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia has proudly welcomed three specially trained facility dogs – Molly, Lani, and Sunny – who were officially sworn in this week (9 and 10 July) at registries across NSW.
Molly will commence duty at Parramatta’s Garfield Barwick Commonwealth Law Courts Building, Lani will be sworn in at the Lionel Bowen Building in Sydney, and Sunny will join the Newcastle registry at the Commonwealth Law Courts Building.
Funded by the Law Society of NSW and trained by Guide Dogs Australia, the trio brings a proven therapeutic presence to the courtroom, providing comfort and emotional support to vulnerable court users, particularly children and witnesses.
First introduced in Melbourne and Hobart, the National Court Dog Program has received widespread acclaim, with trained facility dogs Poppy and Zoey gaining popularity for helping litigants and children “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, praised the Law Society of NSW for its vital support and the positive outcomes it will help deliver.
“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,” His Honour said.
“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.”
The program, originally initiated by Judge Amanda Mansini and deputy registrar Jordan Di Carlo in Melbourne, is designed to help litigants and children find their voice, share their stories, and make the court experience more trauma-sensitive.
Jennifer Ball, president of the Law Society of NSW, emphasised the legal benefits of court facility dogs, noting that “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.”
Survey data from program participants in Melbourne and Hobart reveal that 100 per cent believe having a court dog is positive and supportive. Many report feeling more relaxed (78 per cent), less nervous (77 per cent), and happier (66 per cent).
One court user shared, “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 I 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.”
