Coop
Australia's FIRST Court Dog, working with witnesses in remote witness rooms at the OPP, Magistrates Court, County Court, Child Witness Services, the William Cooper Justice Centre ,working on over 140 separate cases. one of her last accomplishments was at the Melbourne Coroners Court where she was in the Court, helping to support families, witnesses, and staff, during the Bourke St Inquest.
"Coop" passed on the 11th January 2020 due to illness.
She remains in the hearts of hundreds of people, and will never be forgotten.
Champ
Champ is a 7 year old Labrador / Golden Retriever. Champ started his career visiting the staff at the Office of Public Prosecutions whilst Coop was working there two days a week. Then off to train outside the County Court and Magistrates Court in Melbourne as a young dog.
Word quickly spread around Melbourne about the dark golden puppy with the yellow eyes, and before long a call came through from the Joint Anti - Child Explotation Team (JACET).
Champ has been working at JACET for the last four years and is a very valued, well loved member of the team!
River
River is our current experienced Court Dog. A Labrador / Golden Retriever.
She started her career, also in Coops footsteps, whilst she was working on a Pilot at the Coroners Court. River attended (with Coop) for the Bourke St Inquest, helping families, staff, and police during this incredibly difficult time. From there she worked at the Police Academy, and with PRIME at Vic Pol.
She also completed a Pilot at the Neighborhood Justice Centre in Collingwood (NJC) working both in the Court, and also the waiting room. And in 2024 has attended the County Court for Court hearings.
Kingsley
Kinglsey is River's son, and following in her footsteps has also worked for Victoria Police at the State Emergency Support Command in Spencer St.
His placement lasted for six months and he made a very big impact on the staff, who still check in on how he is going. Kingsley is in training as our next Court Support Dog.
He has his mothers intuition, and kind nature. Both he and River are incredibly soft and kind around small children and adults alike.