Zoey the therapy dog has officially been sworn into Hobart’s Federal Circuit and Family Court to provide support and comfort to witnesses that need her during proceedings.
The introduction of the Labrador Retriever follows the successful addition of a Court Dog named ‘Poppy’ in the Melbourne registry of the Courts in October 2023.
Poppy was found to significantly reduce stress and anxiety for those involved in the legal process and Zoey is expected to achieve similar results across Hobart, Launceston and Devonport.
At her launch on Tuesday, Chief Justice Will Alstergren of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia said he was “extremely pleased” to welcome Zoey to their team.
“It is important that as courts we take every step to help parties with the provision of a safe and supportive court environment,” he said.
“Research already gathered and based on our own observations of Poppy and through the Pilot, demonstrates that a professionally trained facility dog provides important support to people experiencing stress and offers a positive and calming distraction to an otherwise overwhelming situation.”
Trained by Therapy Dogs NSW, Zoey’s move to Tasmania has been supported by the local Family Law Practitioners Association and the Women’s Legal Service, both of which have donated to an honorarium for Zoey’s handler.
