National Party leader Simon Bridges and MP Amy Adams with Louie, Tauranga's much-loved court therapy dog. Picture / Supplied
National wants to see therapy dogs available for children and vulnerable people who find themselves caught up in the justice system.
"It can often be a traumatic experience for victims participating in the courts system," MP Chris Penk said.
"In some cases they are facing someone who committed crimes against
them, in other cases it can be parents fighting for custody over children. These can be stressful and emotional situations.
"We should be supporting victims and others who are participating in the court system, often through no fault of their own, by providing trained therapy dogs to make their experience more comfortable and less re-traumatising. Trained therapy dogs make the court experience easier, particularly for children and victims of violent and sexual offending."
Mr Penk cited the role played by Louie, the recently-deceased Tauranga District Court Dog, who he said had been much-loved and appreciated, saying the provision of court therapy dogs, which was part of the party's law and order discussion document, would help put victims at the heart of the justice system.
