The Courage Centre in Shediac has welcomed a new member to its team – Winston, a specially trained justice facility dog, who will provide critical support to victims and witnesses navigating the criminal justice system in New Brunswick.
Born in April 2023, Winston is the latest addition to the Courage Centre’s growing program of justice dogs, which are specifically trained to assist vulnerable individuals, including crime victims and children, in difficult legal situations. The Lions Foundation of Canada’s Dog Guides program provided Winston with the training necessary for his important role.
Kristal LeBlanc, CEO of the Courage Centre, explained, “The role of these dogs is to offer comfort and companionship to victims, vulnerable witnesses, and children who must endure the often intimidating and stressful legal process.”
Winston joins a team of four justice facility dogs at the Centre, including Muriel, Jaz, Iker, and himself. Muriel, the longest-serving dog, is preparing for retirement, and Winston will step in as her successor.
Since expanding its services in mid-October, the Courage Centre now operates province-wide, having previously focused on southeast New Brunswick. LeBlanc shared, “We started with files from the Moncton courthouse, and we’ve now extended our reach to Miramichi, driven by the increasing demand for accredited justice facility dogs throughout New Brunswick.”
The Centre anticipates continued growth in the program, with more cases and clients requiring the unique support of these dogs.
These dogs are not traditional therapy animals or family pets. Rather, they are carefully selected and trained for specific traits, including a calm demeanor and a high level of adaptability. According to LeBlanc, “The dogs must have a ‘bomb-proof’ temperament, meaning they are unfazed by stressors around them. They need to be people-friendly, calm, and capable of working in a variety of settings.”
A typical day for a justice dog can involve a wide range of tasks, from supporting a victim during an RCMP statement in the morning, to attending a trial in the afternoon, and even providing comfort to a sexual violence victim during a late-night forensic exam. The dogs’ versatility is key to their effectiveness in these emotionally charged environments.
Launched in 2019, the justice facility dog program has already supported over 300 trials. LeBlanc noted that the dogs, who typically serve for five to six years before retiring, can have a profound impact, touching the lives of over 1,000 people during their careers.
Referrals to the program are made through police, victim services, or courthouse staff, with an emphasis on maintaining consistency by assigning the same dog to a client whenever possible.
Winston has wasted no time in settling into his new role and has already begun assisting clients at the Moncton courthouse. His presence further strengthens the Centre’s commitment to providing support for those in need during one of the most challenging experiences of their lives.
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