Kindness in court MABEL'S GOT IT LICKED!

Paw patrol! She's a dog with a very important job, helping kids through some of their most difficult times

-  Kasia Jillings

Mabel the golden retriever is no stranger to the justice system. In her early months, she spent half a year in jail being trained through the Puppies in Prison programme.

While she didn’t quite make the cut as a mobility dog, in a full circle moment, she’s found her calling as New Zealand’s second ever court dog supporting children during trial instead.

“She lived in Auckland Women’s and Spring Hill prison for three months each,” explains owner Gail Bryce. “I love that an offender has been part of her training and now she’s come back to support victims of crime”.

The Puppies in Prison programme, which was featured on popular TV series Dog Squad Puppy School, sees the Department of Corrections and Mobility Dogs NZ partner in a successful initiative where prisoners are responsible for training the specialised assistance dogs.

Gail, who works as a court victim advisor in Tauranga, is a huge supporter of the programme and says she’ll be forever grateful it resulted in Mabel joining her family – and the office.

“When Mabel arrives at work, this cry goes up for her,” tells Gail. “She stops at everyone’s desk along the way, doing the rounds and when I walk through the building, every one stops to say hi. Lawyers, police, security – everyone knows Mabel.”

Beaming as she talks about her beloved canine, Gail explains Mabel’s job as a court dog is to support children and young people, easing their fears and nerves when they’re called to give evidence in court.