he study found that the presence of a trained dog can significantly reduce stress and anxiety for children and young people who have to attend court as victims or witnesses. The researchers observed the behavior of 154 children and young people before and after the introduction of the facility dog and found a noticeable decrease in stress levels.
Dr Rock said that having the dog present helped to create a more supportive and child-friendly environment in the court, which ultimately reduced the trauma experienced by the young victims and witnesses. She also mentioned that the caregivers of the children also reported feeling less stressed and anxious when the dog was present.
Associate Professor Gately highlighted the importance of considering the needs of young people when they are required to participate in the criminal justice system. She emphasized the potential benefits of incorporating facility dogs into court settings to provide comfort and support to children and young people during what can be a very challenging and distressing experience.
The Perth Justice Facility Dog Program, a collaboration between the Office of the Commissioner for Victims of Crime and Guide Dogs WA, is designed to provide support to victims of crime, witnesses, and court visitors at the Perth Children’s Court. Winston, a specially trained Black Labrador Retriever, is brought to the court building by Guide Dogs WA two to four times a week with his handler. Winston is available for people to interact with, offering comfort by being patted, sitting with them, and providing physical comfort by lying on the ground or placing his head or paws on their feet. Dr. Rock stated that the program was a significant asset to the court.There is a common misconception that children in court are only those who have committed crimes.
However, children also appear in courts as victims of, and/or witnesses to criminal events,” she noted.
“Most of them have already experienced some form of trauma, and having to relive and talk about it in court can be re-traumatizing, so finding ways to reduce the trauma is crucial for children.
“Without their testimony, offenders may go unpunished as they cannot be convicted.”
The use of a facility dog significantly reduced stress and anxiety
Dr. Rock mentioned court environments can be very stressful, induce anxiety and have lasting impacts for children.
“For child abuse victims in particular the long-term effects of testifying in court are greater for those who had a negative reaction to testifying. They are more likely to have poor adjustment, and negative views of the court system in adulthood,” she said.
Children and caregivers were surveyed to determine the effect of interacting with Winston on their self-reported anxiety and stress levels in the court. They reported their stress levels before and after interaction.
The environment in court can create a lot of stress and anxiety for children, and this can have long-term effects. According to a statement, child abuse victims who had a negative reaction to testifying are more likely to have poor adjustment and negative views of the court system in adulthood. A survey was conducted on children and caregivers to assess the impact of interacting with Winston on their self-reported anxiety and stress levels in court. They reported their stress levels before and after the interaction. Dr. Rock mentioned that all the cChildren participating in the research experienced a significant decrease in stress and anxiety when they had access to Winston at the court, and there were additional advantages. “Parents and caregivers also noted a decrease in stress and anxiety,” she added. “Court staff, who are also confronted with stressful accounts, anxious clients, and various forms of trauma, expressed that Winston reduced their stress levels and created a more positive work environment.” In their own words, children explained how Winston assisted them in court and alleviated negative emotions: “He helps with getting stuff o
- “My anxiety was through the roof, but Winston really helped to calm me down.”
- “Winston is an amazing service dog, he really helped to soothe my nerves.”
- “He’s great at keeping you calm and relaxed.”
- “Winston is awesome and a great companion when I have to visit here.”
- “He provided me with comfort and helped ease my anxiety.”
One caregiver perfectly captured the general sentiment in her experience with Winston and his handler:
My daughter was extremely anxious about coming in today, but when she found out about Winston, she was thrilled. Having him here has completely transformed the atmosphere of the waiting room. He is so kind and affectionate, and the whole family has benefitted from his presence. He’s made a real difference for all of us.
The Guide Dogs lady has been amazing as well. It is essential to continue this program! We adore Winston! Dr. Rock mentioned that despite the positive feedback from court users, it is important to assess the program’s impact on the operations of the Children’s Court. She stated, “There were no negative effects on the functioning of the Children’s Court from the viewpoint of the court staff.” She also added, “Workers noted that Winston helped to create a calm environment in the court.” Guide Dogs WA CEO Anna Presser expressed that ECU’s research confirms the significant impact of the program in a high-stress environment.The significant difference that specialist dogs can make has been observed by the organization. According to them, the impact of facility dogs in high-stress environments such as children’s court has been remarkable. This evidence is important as they plan to expand the use of facility dogs in more courts across the state to help more vulnerable individuals. Their local breeding program, which was established in 2022, ensures that the dogs are trained in Western Australia from a young age. The experienced trainers determine where the dogs will best serve the community, whether it’s guiding, assisting individuals with Autism, providing therapy, serving as facility dogs, or in other roles.Our breeding program is in collaboration with the Office of the Commissioner for Victims of Crime. It has been fulfilling to see the confirmed evidence of how our facility dogs’ natural calmness and gentle temperament support children in the Perth Children’s Court. This support substantially reduces their stress and anxiety, enhances speech and memory function, and promotes overall physical and mental well-being. This is especially beneficial in what we all know is a challenging environment, especially for children.
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