Anyone called to Taree Courthouse on a Tuesday morning is welcomed by a very friendly face.
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Three-year-old Lucy is a therapy dog and spends about one hour mingling and receiving pats from those in attendance.
Wanting to volunteer in some capacity, owner Ivan Smith started bringing her about three months ago.
He read a story in the Manning River Times about therapy dogs starting work at the courthouse in 2019 and wanted to get the ball rolling early.
“I saw a need and wanted to help out,” Ivan said.
“I haven’t seen an argument here on a Tuesday.”
Ivan said she brings hope to those who are attending court.
She’s the best thing that happened to me.
- Ivan Smith
“She just loves people and makes a lot of friends,” Ivan said.
“She’s a good luck dog.”
Things weren’t always so bright for her. Lucy is a rescue dog who struggled to find her ‘forever home’.
“In nine months, she was rejected by three families,” Ivan said.
About two and half years ago, she ended up in Ivan’s care.
“When we got her, she ran straight across the road and into the back of the car,” Ivan said.
Ivan identified her breed as a labrador cross border collie.
“But she can run like a greyhound,” Ivan laughed.
It’s the companionship and drive to help others that keeps Ivan coming back with Lucy each week.
“She’s the best thing that happened to me,” Ivan said.
Lucy is set to stay on at the courthouse when other therapy dogs joins the ranks.
She was trained as a therapy dog by Jillian Galbraith.
