A young male with a smart blue collar and golden hair called Leo will spend lots of time sitting and staying in Brisbane’s Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia witness box, but not because he’s on the wrong side of the law.
Leo is the newest Court Dog and was sworn in at an official, and very popular, ceremony at the Harry Gibbs Commonwealth Law Courts Building recently.
Leo was trained by Guide Dogs Australia, with General Manager (Impact) Greg Elphinston revealing to the Court that Leo had once “strayed on the wrong side of the law” by helping himself to a soft toy at an op shop.
Fortunately, he was “issued an indemnity” by the Honourable Justice Brasch before taking his oath of office and submitting his paw print for official documentation.
He will start his stay next month.
Leo and his handler were matched as part of the Courts’ National Court Dog Program. His work is proudly funded by the Family Law Practitioners Association of Queensland and Queensland Law Society.
When not working at the court providing “paws-itive” support and reassurance, Leo will be staying with his guardian, the Honourable Judge Firth.
“I am Leo’s guardian, which means I have the wonderful job of taking him home each day and having him live in my house, which is a wonderful thing for us,” Her Honour said.
“But most importantly, it’s a wonderful thing to have him at the Court and providing such a calm, nurturing environment for those who can be going through one of the most difficult times in their lives.
“It’s really special to have Leo on board. He’ll have the opportunity to work across all of the judges within the Court and be there for all the vulnerable parties, but as well as children. So having the opportunity to go and help children when they’re interviewed at the court as well, which is really special.
“I believe what will occur will be that judges will have the opportunity of asking for a dog to be in the courtroom for a particular matter, but also parties will have the opportunity if they think they need the assistance of Leo, to ask for Leo to come and help in the court on that day and be there to allow them to provide their voice and be there in court with them.”
A dog lover, Judge Firth is delighted to have Leo become part of her family.
“I love dogs, so I guess that was a big thing for me. I saw Judge Mansini, who has been wonderful in championing this project across our court, and I knew straight away that I wanted to be the judge who got that happening here in Brisbane,” she said.
“So I’ve helped try and organise the fundraising and get things happening here in Brisbane. I made sure I put my hand up when I had an opportunity to have Leo come and live with us as well.
“That was the generosity of the FLPA or Family Law Practitioners Association as well as the Queensland Law Society. We knew that we needed a certain amount for the dog handler, as well as for Leo, given he is a Guide Dog and a fully trained dog.
“And those two organisations, along with Samford Rotary, which was wonderful, assisted us in terms of providing those funds … and a number of practitioners, in fact, provided donations through the Guide Dogs fundraising efforts also. Some lawyers and barristers who are here all day every day, also provided some funds to assist in getting Leo here, which is wonderful.”
Although Leo swore to be a “very good boy” as part of his official oath, he may have to learn to follow some more rules at home.
“He’s up on the couch already, which apparently they’re trained not to do, but we might have untrained that very quickly,” Judge Firth revealed.
Leo is the first male dog in the national program following the lead of Poppy, Zoey, Moly, Lani and Sunny in southern states.
He will lend a “silky ear” and “calming presence” in the court. Witnesses will be able to hold his leash in the witness box, scratch his ears and feel reassured.
The Chief Justice of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, the Honourable William Alstergren AO, said the National Court Dog Program had made real and significant improvements to the experiences of many litigants since it started in Melbourne and Hobart three years ago.
“We are extremely grateful to FLPA, QLS, and the local profession for supporting the introduction of Leo in Brisbane. Leo’s presence will greatly assist children and vulnerable litigants to feel safer and calmer when at court,” His Honour said.
Research indicates Court Dogs help 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.
QLS President Genevieve Dee said the Society was incredibly proud to be supporting the National Court Dog Program.
“Dogs are known as humans’ best friends, providing much-needed companionship and positive emotional support. Courts can be particularly stressful places for families and children,” she said.
“We know that Leo will provide much-needed comfort and support to our most vulnerable court users, and we look forward to welcoming him to the Courts.”
One of the fundamental principles to using Court Dogs is they enhance the legal process and maintain its integrity, not distract from it. The Courts have surveyed users of the program, finding that:
- 100 per cent of court users think having a Court Dog in their court registry is positive;
- 100 per cent of court users felt supported by the presence of a Court Dog;
- When describing how the Court Dog made them feel, survey respondents said the Court Dog helped them: feel relaxed (78 per cent), feel less nervous (77 per cent), feel happy (66 per cent), feel safe (52 per cent), think more clearly (40 per cent) and express themselves better (35 per cent).
And while it is tempting to pat Leo, who Greg described as having a face like “a middle-aged Sean Connery”, there are a few rules.
If you see Leo wearing his ‘fetching’ blue and white vest, it signals he is working and should not be petted until his handler says that you can say hello.
The same applies with treats, Leo is a working dog and has his designated feeding (and toilet) breaks. He cannot be fed unless the handler provides a snack.
However, you are welcome to take a photo of Leo just not when court is in session.
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