News24 | WATCH | How therapy dogs are helping children testify in SA courts

Judge Carli the Labrador is one of the pooches that help child victims of abuse familiarise themselves with court processes.

• With more than 26 800 child abuse cases reported over the last year, young survivors face the additional trauma of testifying in intimidating courtrooms, which are not designed for children.
• The Teddy Bear Foundation partners with TOP Dogs therapy organisation to conduct mock court sessions in which children practise their testimony while interacting with trained therapy dogs in role-play scenarios.
• Children leave sessions feeling less anxious, and they receive crocheted “teddy pup” replicas to provide comfort during the actual proceedings.

Testifying before a judge or magistrate can make even the most hardened criminals tremble.

But the experience is amplified for children testifying in cases of abuse.

However, appearing in front of Judge Carli the Labrador, who is accompanied by court orderly Sergeant Gryff the Schnauzer and answering questions from prosecutor Griffin the Cocker Spaniel, makes it much more bearable for vulnerable children.

“Courtrooms are not built for children. Even adults find the experience intimidating,” says Dr Shaheda Omar, director of the Teddy Bear Foundation.

Since 1986, the foundation has been at the forefront of supporting children who have survived abuse. Its court preparation programme helps familiarise children with court processes, explains the roles of officials, and aims to reduce their anxiety, empowering them to testify truthfully and confidently.

Since 2015, the foundation has partnered with TOP Dogs, a volunteer-run therapy dog organisation, to conduct court preparation sessions, where children can interact with therapy dogs to prepare before proceedings.

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“We spread smiles for miles,” says Professor Andreas Lemmerer, chairperson of TOP Dogs.

According to Omar, a child who has endured trauma requires comfort, trust, and a sense of safety before they open up.

Figures from the Department of Social Development show that more than 26 800 cases of child abuse and neglect were formally reported nationwide between 2024 and 2025.

At the TOP Dogs mock courtroom, the pooches and children dress in prosecutor, magistrate, witness, and court orderly uniforms. The children often rest their hands on the dogs or hug them while reading their lines — simple gestures that provide them with comfort.

Omar says:

While therapy dogs are not allowed in South African courtrooms, the children receive crocheted “teddy pups” — soft toy replicas of the dogs they interact with during their court sessions.

Although these sessions can never fully prepare them for court or heal their trauma, many children leave the sessions feeling less anxious about what awaits them.