Meet Toffee Beanz: The therapy dog helping child trauma victims in South African courts

A fluffy dog named Toffee Beanz just made legal history in South Africa. She became the first therapy dog to support a child witness in a South African court, helping a young trauma victim feel safe enough to testify.

The case, a criminal trial in a high court, has put a spotlight on how therapy animals can help children who have experienced abuse, violence, or neglect. For kids processing trauma, fear often makes it nearly impossible to talk about what happened. But Toffee, a calm golden retriever cross, changes that.

"Animals don't ask questions and they don't judge," says Edith Kriel, Executive Director of the Jelly Beanz Foundation, the non-profit that runs the programme. "For children who feel frightened or overwhelmed, the presence of a calm therapy dog can help them feel grounded and safe enough to engage."

The Jelly Beanz Foundation was founded in 2010 and works with children and families affected by abuse, violence, and neglect. They offer therapy, advocacy, training for professionals, and trauma interventions. Toffee is part of that healing environment, sitting with kids during therapy sessions and tough moments.

Toffee wasn't just any dog picked off the street. She was chosen as a puppy for her calm, emotionally stable temperament. Animal behaviour specialists from Honey's Garden Medical Alert Dogs helped train her. Along with basic obedience and socialisation, she learned to stay relaxed around vulnerable children in high-emotion situations.

"Not every dog is suited to this role," says Kriel. "You need an animal with a calm, emotionally stable temperament that genuinely enjoys human connection and can remain relaxed in unpredictable situations."

The court case has sparked conversations about how South Africa's legal system can better support child witnesses. Right now, there's no formal law or rule that allows or bans therapy dogs in court. It's a grey area left to individual judges to decide. The positive ruling in this case could set a precedent for clearer rules in the future.

"This is about helping children feel safe," says Kriel. "A child who feels emotionally supported is far more able to communicate clearly and participate in the legal process which is in the interest of justice."

The work is getting support from local businesses. Dotsure, a South African pet insurance company, is backing the foundation. Dotsure was voted South Africa's Best Pet Insurance from 2023 to 2025 by readers of The Star, Die Burger, Beeld, and City Press. They already support guide dog training and provide pet insurance for service dogs.

Toffee's story is part of a bigger global trend. More countries are exploring how therapy animals can help in courts, hospitals, and schools. For South Africa, where child abuse rates are high, having a furry friend in the courtroom could make a real difference.