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Courtroom pups set to support more FCFCOA registries
Following its success in the Melbourne and Hobart registries, the Court Dog Program is set to expand into three new registries for the Federal Circuit and Family Court to provide paws-itive assistance to vulnerable litigants and children.
Grace Robbie
This week, the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) announced the expansion of its Court Dog Program, which will now be implemented across its registries in Sydney, Parramatta, and Newcastle.
Additionally, they revealed that three new therapy puppies will be introduced within these jurisdictions, which was made possible through funding provided by the Law Society of NSW.
Since its inception in the Melbourne and Hobart registries, the Court Dog Program has been commended for its positive impact on helping children and vulnerable litigants “feel happy, safe, calm, and able to fully engage with court proceedings.”
The Court Dog Program aims to “help litigants and children find their voice and tell their stories, make the court experience more trauma-sensitive for court users, facilitate participation in the court process, and further the administration of justice”.
A survey conducted among court users in Melbourne and Hobart who participated in the Court Dog Program revealed that 100 per cent of respondents emphasised that the presence of the court dog was “positive” and made them feel more “supported”.
The first two facility dogs, named Poppy and Zoey, have already made a substantial impact and have rapidly gained popularity for their ability to provide emotional support and comfort.
When prompted to describe how the court dogs impacted their emotional state, 78 per cent of the respondents indicated that they felt more relaxed, 77 per cent reported a reduction in nervousness, and 66 per cent expressed an increase in happiness.
One anonymous respondent said: “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.”
Another individual said: “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.”
The Honourable William Alstergren AO, Chief Justice of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, expressed his appreciation to the Law Society of NSW for facilitating the expansion of this initiative within 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,” Chief Justice Alstergren said.
The newly elected president of the Law Society of NSW, Jennifer Ball, underscored the significant benefits of this initiative as a pivotal step towards achieving greater justice.
“Lawyers 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,” Ball said.
