Molly, Lani, and Sunny, three new facility dogs, are joining the National Court Dog Program at the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1 and Division 2).
Swearing in ceremonies will be held on 9 and 10 July 2025 for Molly, Lani and Sunny in the Parramatta, Sydney and Newcastle registries.
The purchase of the dogs has been funded by the Law Society of New South Wales, and the dogs were expertly trained and supplied by Guide Dogs Australia.
A video will be played at each swearing in ceremony to introduce the new dogs and celebrate the progress of the Court Dog Program to date.
The National 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 significantly 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 step for 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."

Guide Dogs NSW/ACT Therapy Dog Program Team Leader Samantha O'Keeffe said Molly, Lani and Sunny have been carefully chosen for the role.
"We're so proud to see Molly, Lani and Sunny officially sworn in as Court Dogs and take their place at Sydney, Parramatta and Newcastle registries where they will play a vital role. Each dog has been carefully selected for their calm, gentle and affectionate temperament and highly trained to provide comfort and emotional support in high-stress court settings."
The dogs to be based in the Courts' Newcastle, Parramatta and Sydney registries will be 'sworn in' and commence duty this month.
Background to the Court Dog Program
The National Court Dog Program originated from the efforts of Judge Amanda Mansini, based in the Courts' Melbourne registry, and Deputy Registrar Jordan Di Carlo, who were both early, passionate advocates of the introduction of Poppy (the Melbourne based court dog) and the expansion of the program nationwide. 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 highly skilled facility dogs, identified for their ability to provide emotional support and stability in court environments. Backed by nearly 70 years of world-class breeding and training expertise, Guide Dogs Australia applies the same rigorous standards used in preparing Guide Dogs to ensure Court Dogs possess the calm temperament, resilience, and focus required for this important role.
Each dog is carefully matched to each registry to support victims of crime during legal proceedings, offering comfort and confidence in often challenging circumstances.
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:
✔️ 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 highly skilled facility dogs, identified for their ability to provide emotional support and stability in court environments. Backed by nearly 70 years of world-class breeding and training expertise, Guide Dogs Australia applies the same rigorous standards used in preparing Guide Dogs to ensure Court Dogs possess the calm temperament, resilience, and focus required for this important role.
Each dog is carefully matched to each registry to support victims of crime during legal proceedings, offering comfort and confidence in often challenging circumstances.
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:
✔️ 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!"
MEDIA RELEASE, 9th July 2025