In a beautiful first for South Africa, Toffee Beanz, a gentle therapy dog, has proven that a little extra comfort can make a world of difference for a child’s voice to be heard during court proceedings.
Cape Town, South Africa (30 April 2026) – Just when you thought South Africa couldn’t be more special, a gentle therapy dog from the Jelly Beanz Foundation, Toffee Beanz, accompanied a child witness during court proceedings in the Cape Town High Court.
Not only heartwarming, but the moment also marked what is believed to be the very first time in South Africa that a therapy dog has supported a child while testifying in court.
Children who testify are not only witnesses, they are children first. This moment reflected a growing commitment to ensuring the justice system recognises and responds to that reality.
Why This Matters
For children who have witnessed or been victims of serious crimes, the court process can be deeply intimidating and, at times, retraumatising. Children are required to recall and recount deeply distressing events –things no child should ever have to experience– in an unfamiliar, formal environment. This affects both their emotional well-being and their ability to testify effectively.
The burden placed on child witnesses in these circumstances is profound. They carry not only the weight of what they have seen, but the weight of being asked to speak about it in a process that was not designed with children in mind.
The need for this intervention is urgent. The context is stark:
- Thousands of children enter the criminal justice system each year as victims of serious crimes or as witnesses
- Child witnesses to violent crimes face a significant risk of trauma and long-term psychological harm
- The court process itself can compound this harm when adequate support is not in place
- Only a small percentage of reported cases in which children are key witnesses result in a conviction.
These realities highlight the importance of supporting child witnesses in ways that reduce anxiety, improve emotional regulation, and enable them to give their best possible evidence.
The Role of Toffee Beanz
Toffee Beanz is a certified therapy dog who is part of the therapeutic team at Jelly Beanz. In therapeutic settings, Toffee Beanz works alongside professionals to support children who have experienced or witnessed trauma.
In the courtroom, Toffee Beanz will:
- Provide a calming and grounding presence
- Help reduce stress and emotional overwhelm
- Support the child’s ability to communicate clearly and confidently
Internationally, the use of therapy and facility dogs in court settings has shown promising outcomes, reducing distress and improving the overall experience for child witnesses. South Africa now takes its first step in this direction, because every child deserves safety, connection, and the chance to heal.
Sources: Jelly Beanz Foundation
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