News
Molly, Lani and Sunny Sworn In: New Court Dogs Join the National Program in NSW
Guide Dogs is proud to announce the official swearing in of three new Court Dogs—Molly, Lani and Sunny—who will now serve in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia across Parramatta, Sydney and Newcastle.
These specially trained facility dogs are the newest recruits to the National Court Dog Program, offering emotional support and a calming presence for vulnerable children and adults navigating high-stress legal environments. Their placements have been generously funded by the Law Society of New South Wales, with swearing-in ceremonies taking place on 9 and 10 July 2025.
“Each of these dogs has been carefully selected for their calm, affectionate nature and trained using the same high standards that Guide Dogs are known for. They are ready to make a meaningful difference for those facing incredibly difficult circumstances.” said Samantha O’Keeffe, Therapy Dog Program Team Leader at Guide Dogs NSW/ACT.
A Program Built on Proven Impact
The Court Dog Program first launched in Melbourne and Hobart, where the impact was quickly felt and widely praised. Independent surveys of court users who spent time with dogs like Poppy and Zoey found that:
- 100% said having a Court Dog in the registry was a positive experience
- 78% felt more relaxed
- 77% felt less nervous
- 66% felt happy
- 52% felt safe
- 40% said they could think more clearly
- 35% were better able to express themselves
These outcomes are not only heartening, they reflect the very real and measurable difference that trauma-informed support can have in legal settings.
“Witnesses who feel less anxious and more supported are shown to produce more reliable evidence, speak more clearly, and exhibit fewer signs of distress. That’s why this program is such an important investment in justice.” said Jennifer Ball, President of the Law Society of NSW.
70 Years of Training Expertise
Court Dogs are trained using Guide Dogs Australia’s renowned methods, drawing on nearly 70 years of breeding and training excellence. While traditionally applied to supporting people who are blind or have low vision, these methods are now being used in a wider range of assistance roles — including therapy, wellbeing, and facility dogs.
Each Court Dog is matched to their environment based on temperament, personality and the specific emotional support needs of court users. In the courtroom, they help reduce stress by lowering cortisol (the stress hormone) and increasing oxytocin, a hormone that fosters calm and focus — crucial for witnesses and participants in legal proceedings.
“We’ve been overwhelmed by the reception to the Court Dog Program in Melbourne and Hobart,” said the Honourable Chief Justice William Alstergren AO.
A New Chapter in Canine-Assisted Support
As the National Court Dog Program expands, Molly, Lani and Sunny are the latest example of how purposefully trained dogs can bring dignity, compassion and clarity to people during life’s most challenging moments.
Guide Dogs NSW/ACT is proud to play a leading role in shaping more inclusive, supportive, and trauma-aware public institutions — one paw at a time.
