A new study from Edith Cowan University (ECU) found that a specially trained facility Therapy Dog can significantly reduce stress and anxiety for young victims, witnesses, and caregivers in the Children’s Court.
The research, the first of its kind in Australia, highlights the positive impact of having a four-legged companion in high-stress legal environments.
Winston, the Courtroom Companion
The study focused on the Perth Justice Facility Dog Program, a partnership between the Office of the Commissioner for Victims of Crime and Guide Dogs, WA. As part of the initiative, a Black Labrador Retriever named Winston was trained to provide comfort and support to court visitors.
Winston visited the Perth Children’s Court building two to four times a week with his handler. Children and caregivers could sit with him, pat him, or simply enjoy his calming presence. He also provided gentle body pressure by resting his head or paws on people’s feet—an effective way to ease anxiety.
Dr. Suz Rock, one of the study’s lead researchers, emphasized the importance of making the court process less traumatic for children.
“Most children in court have already been traumatized in some way, and making them relive, recall, and talk about their experiences can be re-traumatizing. Having a way to reduce anxiety and stress is imperative,” she said.
Measurable Impact on Stress and Anxiety
To measure Winston’s impact, researchers surveyed children and their caregivers before and after their interactions with him. The results showed a significant reduction in stress and anxiety.
“Parents and caregivers also reported a reduction of stress and anxiety,” Dr. Rock said. “Even court staff, who regularly handle distressing cases, noted that Winston helped create a more positive working environment.”
Children shared their experiences with Winston, describing his calming effect:
- “He helps with getting stuff off your mind.”
- “He really helps you get not stressed.”
- “Winston is a sick dude and a good mate when I have to come here.”
- “He made me feel comforted and helped a lot with the nerves.”
One caregiver summed it up by saying, “My daughter was so nervous to come today, but when she heard about Winston, she got excited. He changed the whole atmosphere of the wait. You have to keep this running! We love Winston!”
Expanding the Program Using Therapy Dog
Despite Winston’s strong presence in court, researchers wanted to ensure that his participation did not disrupt legal proceedings. Court staff reported no negative impact on courtroom operations. Many noted that Winston helped calm the environment.
Guide Dogs WA CEO Anna Presser welcomed the study’s findings, emphasizing the profound impact of facility dogs in high-stress environments.
“We’ve witnessed firsthand how our facility dogs make an enormous difference in places like Children’s Court. This research provides solid evidence, which is crucial as we aim to expand the presence of facility Therapy Dog into more courts across the state,” she said.
Guide Therapy Dog WA’s local breeding program, established in 2022, ensures that dogs are trained in Western Australia from puppyhood. Trainers assess where each dog will best serve the community—whether as a guide dog, therapy animal, autism support companion, or courtroom facility dog.
The success of Winston’s presence at Perth Children’s Court has sparked interest in scaling up similar programs to assist vulnerable individuals facing complex legal proceedings. With strong evidence supporting their benefits, facility dogs may soon become a regular feature in more Australian courtrooms.
Reference: Suzanne Rock, Natalie Gately. Kids, courts and canines: Evaluating the Justice Facility Dog Program through a therapeutic lens in the Perth Children’s Court. Journal of Criminology, 2024.
