Paw and order: Lucy the labrador provides support as Australia ’s first full-time court dog

In Melbourne ’s family court, Lucy visits hearings, legal interviews and mediations – all to relieve people’s stress as they navigate the justice systemGet ourmorning and afternoon news emails,free app ordaily news podcastWhen Lucy enters a court-room at the federal circuit and family court in Melbourne, she bows to the judge – as is customary. Only Lucy is no ordinary court attender. She is a five-year-old chocolate labrador deployed as a “court facility dog” as part of a pilot program to provide support for people in court .Lucy, who is Instagram-famous through her handle@courtdoglucy, is the first accredited court dog working full-time in Australia. She belongs to the Victorian Office of Public Prosecutions, and for the next three months is on loan to the family court one day a week.Continue reading...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - Category: Science Authors: Tags: Australia news Law (Australia) Dogs Psychology Animals Source Type: news